Influence of hooked-end steel fibers on some engineering properties of SIFCON

ABSTRACT: Slurry infiltrated fiber concrete (SIFCON) has been applied since 1979 in USA. Since it is not possible to use more than 2% of fiber in SFRC (steel fiber reinforced concrete) because of workability and mixing issues, SIFCON is applied to contain fiber amount as high as 12%. Having higher mechanical properties in both strength and durability is an advantage of SIFCON in comparison with SFRC. In light of this advantage, this study has been carried out on fibers having length/aspect ratio of 80/60, 80/50, and 30/65 for approximate fiber amounts of 1%, 2%, 3% and 4% by the volume of concrete. Fiber orientation can also seriously affect properties of SIFCON where one can control the orientation easily. These properties are modulus of elasticity, flexural strength, stress strain behavior, absorbed energy, impact energy, and water permeability (depth of water penetration). Some of these parameters are studied in comparison with conventional concrete. At the end of this study results are analyzed to end up with optimum orientation and fiber type and volume fraction of fibers to reach admirable energy absorption capacity and durability. …………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………