Effects of milled cut steel fibers on the properties of concrete

This study presents the mechanical and transport properties of milled cut steel fiber reinforced concretes (MCSFRC). Properties studied include unit weight, workability, compressive strength, flexural strength, splitting tensile strength, bond strength, water absorption, water porosity, water sorptivity, rapid chloride ion permeability and drying shrinkage of concrete. Mixtures with a waterbinder ratio of 0.40, total binder content of 500 kg/m3 and milled cut steel fiber content of 0, 0.25, 0.50 and 1.00% by concrete volume were produced and tested. The laboratory results showed a slight reduction in compressive strength with the use of milled cut steel fiber. On the other hand milled cut steel fibers significantly improved the tensile strength and decreased the drying shrinkage. Although no significant increase was observed in the absorption, porosity and sorptivity, chloride ion permeability increased drastically with the increase of milled cut steel fiber content.