EXPERIMENTAL INVESTIGATION ON HIGH STRENGTH STEEL FIBER REINFORCED CONCRETE WITH METAKAOLIN

The paper presents the results of an experimental investigation on the properties of structural concrete using steel fiber (SF) and metakaolin (MK). Crimped steel fibers of aspect ratio 85 and metakaolin were used. The effects of these fiber and metakaolin on workability, density, and on various strengths of M60 grade concrete are studied. Fiber content varies from 2.5% to 10 % by weight of cement and metakaolin content varies from 5% to 20% by weight of cement. The various strengths considered for investigation are compressive strength, flexural strength, split tensile strength, and shear strength. Cubes of 150mm for compressive strength, cylinders of size 150mm diameter x 300mm length for split tensile strength, beams of 100 x100 x 500 mm for flexural strength, push-off specimens of size 150 x 150 x 450 mm for shear strength were cast. All the specimens were water cured and tested after 28 days. Workability of wet mix is found to be reduced with increased fiber content. Ductility of steel fiber reinforced metakaolin concrete (FRMC) is found to increase as observed from the study of load–deflection behavior. A significant improvement in the various strengths is observed due to inclusion of fibers and metakaolin in the concrete.