Performance of Steel Fiber-Reinforced Concrete Pipes

This study presents the production and full-scale testing of steel fiber-reinforced concrete pipes (SFRCP) for the first time in the United States. Four reinforced concrete pipe (RCP) production sites in various geographical regions of the United States were selected for their diversity in production methods, and pipes with different fiber dosages were produced. The production sites selected were among the major RCP production facilities, whose equipment to manufacture pipes varied. The specific mix design for each production site was kept the same as that used for conventional RCPs to minimize the change in production culture. Pipes with diameters that ranged from 15 in. (400 mm) to 48 in. (1,200 mm) were produced with different fiber dosages. The SFRCP and control RCP specimens were instrumented and subjected to ASTM C497 three-edge-bearing, full-scale tests. The failure modes, strength, stiffness, and crack widths of the SFRCPs and RCPs were compared and reported.