An experimental study on the corrosion susceptibility of Recycled Steel Fiber Reinforced Concrete

Abstract

Steel fibers resulting from the industry of tire recycling can be efficiently employed in concrete to improve its mechanical performance, such as post-cracking load bearing and energy absorption capacity. Under chloride attack, an important aspect of Recycled Steel Fiber Reinforced Concrete (RSFRC) durability is its corrosion resistance. However, the insufficient knowledge on this domain contributes for a conservative design philosophy, which can compromise the cost competitiveness of RSFRC and prevent its application in elements where this occurrence, even eventual, is not acceptable.In the present work, an experimental program was performed with the aim of assessing the corrosion susceptibility of RSFRC including the characterization of the micro-mechanical properties and the corrosion resistance of recycled steel fiber (RSF) by means of nano-indentation testing, electrochemical monitoring techniques and scanning electron microscopy (SEM) analysis. The influence of the small rubber debris attached to the RSF surface was also analyzed by using two distinct pre-treatment methods. The adhesive bond behavior between the RSF and the surrounding self-compacting concrete (SCC) matrix was analyzed by performing monotonic RSF pullout tests. Double edge wedge splitting (DEWS) tests were conducted for evaluating the corrosion effects onthe post-cracking response of RSFRC.

Engineering properties of crumb rubber alkali-activated mortar reinforced with recycled steel fibres

“…3, which would drastically influence the crossing of fibres along crack openings and in turn result in significant variations in the bridging mechanism. RTSF with more irregular shape has higher possibility to be ruptured during fibre-bridging action owing to greater fibre pull-out load and the toughness properties would be accordingly influenced (Frazão et al, 2019).…”

“…In recent years, recycled tyre steel fibre (RTSF) was introduced into cementitious materials to maximise the usage of recycled materials and further promote the sustainable development. The effect of RTSF on mechanical and durability performances of fibre reinforced concrete (FRC) has been extensively investigated (Aiello et al, 2009;Bjegovic et al, 2014;Centonze et al, 2012;Frazão et al, 2019;Grzymski et al, 2019;Neocleous et al, 2008;Skarżyński and Suchorzewski, 2018;Zamanzadeh et al, 2015). However, very limited study can be found in literature regarding the effect of RTSF on the properties of CRC.…”

Influence of the Chloride Attack on the Post-Cracking Behavior of Recycled Steel Fiber Reinforced Concrete

“…In recent years, several investigations have explored the potential of end-of-life tires by-products in the construction industry, such as the use of recycled steel fibers (RSFs) in the reinforcement of cement-based materials [ 1 , 2 , 3 , 4 , 5 , 6 , 7 ], namely, in fiber reinforced concrete (FRC). FRC is being used in slabs and shells, such as the case of flooring and tunneling since the support redundancy of this type of structure favors the occurrence of a high level of stress redistribution during crack propagation, which increases their ultimate load regarding their cracking load [ 8 , 9 ].…”

“…According to the literature, RSFs show a high potential to be an effective concrete reinforcement for application in structural elements, namely, those that are exposed to coastal/marine environments [ 1 , 2 , 3 , 4 , 5 , 6 , 7 ]. However, research on the corrosion resistance of recycled steel fiber reinforced concrete (RSFRC) is almost non-existent, namely, concerning the effects of chloride attack on the fiber reinforcement mechanisms developed during the fiber pull-out from the matrix in cracked RSFRC.…”

“…The RSFs’ reinforcement efficiency and the post-cracking behavior of RSFRC can be assessed by performing conventional material tests, including the double edge wedge splitting test [ 3 , 4 , 7 ] or the three-point notched beam bending test (3PNBBT) [ 5 , 6 , 7 ]. However, the stress–crack width ( ) relationship, obtained from these tests is noticeably influenced by the number and orientation of fibers crossing the crack that propagates along the pre-notched plane [ 3 ].…”