A Review on Optimization of Steel Fiber Reinforced Concrete-Cold

Drawn Wire as a Concrete Mixture for Improving Structural

Performance

Chapter I

a. Introduction

Current research in the field of civil engineering has been

primarily dedicated to the development of novel concrete mixtures

to enhance overall structural capabilities. Using steel fiber

reinforcement and cold-drawn wire in concrete exhibits

considerable potential. This study aims to examine and assess the

optimization of cold-drawn wire-steel fiber-reinforced concrete

as a concrete mixture to showcase its capacity to transform the

field of structural engineering significantly.

Steel fiber is a frequently employed substance for the

purpose of reinforcing concrete buildings owing to its notable

rigidity. There are numerous advantages associated with this

subject that render it worthy of academic investigation. To begin

with, the incorporation of steel fiber reinforcement enhances the

structural characteristics of concrete, specifically augmenting

its tensile and flexural strength. The increase in strength

contributes to the mitigation of cracking and enhances the

overall durability and lifetime of the construction (Dhilipkumar

et al.,2023).

Incorporation of steel fibers in concrete offers enhanced

regulation of fracture widths. The implementation of steel fiber

reinforcement has the potential to prolong the structural

integrity of traditional reinforcement by mitigating fracture

widths, thereby delaying the onset of corrosion and extending the

overall lifespan of the structure. This holds particular

significance for constructions that are subjected to severe

weather conditions or dynamic loads.

The incorporation of steel fiber reinforcement serves to

augment the hardness characteristics of concrete. The addition of

certain materials enhances the capacity of concrete to absorb

energy and withstand deformation, hence increasing its resistance

to impact or dynamic loads. The enhanced durability of concrete

is advantageous in several contexts, including industrial

flooring and pavements, where the material is exposed to

substantial loads or possible impacts.

The examination of steel fiber reinforcement holds

significant value as it facilitates the process of optimizing

various constituents of fiber-reinforced concrete. By

comprehending the impacts of several aspects, including the

morphology, dimensions, quantity, proportion, and arrangement of

fibers, scholars can ascertain the optimal methodologies for

attaining strain hardening and enhancing the mechanical

characteristics of concrete.

The study was carried out to thoroughly examine the impacts

of steel fiber reinforcing in concrete. The goal was to explore

the mechanical properties of concrete, specifically the flexural

and compressive strength when steel fibers were introduced in

various dosages and dispersed in various ways within the concrete

beam. The goal of the research was to quantify the energy-

absorbing mechanism and assess the toughness of fiber-reinforced

concrete specimens.

This chapter intends to present a comprehensive synopsis of

the present scientific and technological condition of SFRC. It

begins with an overview of the production processes and

characteristics of the most frequently utilized steel fibers in

the construction industry. The subsequent section will discuss

the optimization of cold-drawn wire-reinforced steel fiber

concrete as a concrete composition to enhance structural

performance. This research thoroughly investigates the

optimization of Steel Fiber Reinforced Concrete (SFRC) by

integrating Cold Drawn Wire as a critical component in the

concrete formulation. The justification for conducting this

inquiry arises from the increasing necessity to improve the

structural efficacy of concrete, particularly in contexts where

resilience and longevity are critical. The incorporation of cold-

drawn wire and steel filaments into concrete exhibits encouraging

prospects for enhancing its mechanical and structural

characteristics, thus alleviating concerns pertaining to

cracking, tensile strength, and overall resilience.

This paper presents a comprehensive analysis of the

optimization of steel fiber reinforced concrete-cold drawn wire

as a concrete combination focusing on enhancing its structural

performance. The experimental examination was conducted at the

DOST Building, located on Gen. Santos Avenue in Bicutan, Taguig

City, Metro Manila, Philippines, with the postal code 1631.

b. Background of the Study

Steel fibers have been used in concrete for many years to

improve the strength and longevity of the material. The first

patent in the United States was obtained in 1874 for the

inclusion of uneven steel scraps to improve concrete strength.

Steel fibers, which provide three-dimensional reinforcement, have

since been developed to improve the durability and flexibility of

concrete under high loads over long periods of time.

According to Rotaru et al., (2023) steel fibers have been

discovered to provide a number of advantages in concrete

building. They boost the bending force resistance of the concrete

because the metal fibers require more energy to extract from the

matrix. This results in better post-cracking behavior and higher

residual bending strength. Steel fibers also improve concrete

durability by enhancing fatigue resistance and avoiding the

development of significant cracks under cyclical stresses. Steel

fibers improve concrete impact resistance by strengthening the

concrete matrix and absorbing energy. Steel fibers also increase

the abrasion resistance of the concrete surface.

The incorporation of steel fibers in concrete has had a

considerable impact on the strength and durability of the

material. This is demonstrated by the results of compression and

bending strength tests, which show that reinforced concrete with

steel fibers achieves design resistance even after only 7 days.

When compared to standard reinforcement methods, using steel

fibers in concrete pavements for port infrastructures provides

benefits such as greater productivity, improved work quality, and

lower maintenance costs.

 By employing a randomly dispersed matrix of fibers, it

becomes feasible to reinforce the surface-near regions of

concrete, which pose challenges for conventional rebars due to

their requirement for a limited concrete cover. This study

examines the phenomena of cracking, deformation, and residual

rigidity in pillars that are manufactured using steel-fiber-

reinforced concrete (SFRC). Numerous investigations have

demonstrated that the structural performance of Steel Fiber

Reinforced Concrete (SFRC) beams exhibits a notable enhancement

subsequent to fracture. Fibrous materials possess a multitude of

advantages in comparison to traditional materials, surpassing

their strength, structural accuracy, and post-crack state. Once

cracks have formed, random, little fibers extend across them.

Steel fibers, which were initially designed to control

cracks, are now widely used in a variety of load-bearing

structural applications, including the structural members

mentioned in the first paragraph, due to advancements in concrete

technology and the development of novel fiber types. The issue

pertaining to the propagation of localized force consequently

arises in concrete structural components that are entirely or

partially reinforced with steel fibers. As stated previously, the

efficacy of steel fiber reinforced concrete (SFRC) has received

little consideration, notwithstanding the profusion of literature

on the subject. Consequently, a systematic investigation into the

structural behavior of SFRC under concentrated load is an

imperative necessity.

According to Nogales(2021), over the past few decades, steel

fiber reinforced concrete (SFRC) has been extensively implemented

globally as a partial or complete substitute for traditional

reinforcing bars in a variety of applications, including tunnel

structures (precast tunnel lining segments, shotcrete, and flat

slabs), sewer pipes, and industrial floors. Enhancing the load-

bearing capacity of concrete beyond the peak load, that is,

augmenting the ductility or tenacity of the quasi-brittle

material, is the primary effect of steel fiber incorporation.

This is primarily because stresses across the fractures are

transferred by fibers that span the cracks, thereby impeding the

cracks' growth and propagation. SFRC was initially applied

extensively to fissure control (a non-structural application). As

modern concrete technologies and the development of novel fiber

types have progressed, SFRC (typically characterized by its high

performance) has been utilized more frequently to replace

conventional reinforcement in concrete structures completely.

Steel fiber reinforced concrete (SFRC) has a high resistance to

cracking and crack propagation, resulting in enhanced

extensibility and tensile strength. SFRC also has post-cracking

ductility, which improves its energy absorption and capacity to

bear impact loads. Fibers added to concrete improve its toughness

rather than its strength. In comparison to normal concrete, SFRC

mixes demand larger cement percentages and fine-to-coarse

aggregate ratios. The aspect ratio of the fibers and the size of

aggregate particles are also taken into account in the SFRC mix

design. SFRC can be manufactured using a variety of processes,

and care must be given to guarantee consistent fiber dispersion.

In structural applications, SFRC can be utilized to prevent

cracking, improve resistance to impact or dynamic loads, and

resist material disintegration. In beams with conventional

reinforcement, the application of SFRC can increase ultimate

moment and ultimate deflection. Pavements, tunnel linings,

shotcrete, bridge deck slab repairs, and other applications are

all possible with SFRC. The high cost of steel fibers restricts

the usage of SFRC to niche applications (Shakil,2018).

The addition of fibers to concrete increases the material's

toughness and energy absorption capability. Concrete that is not

reinforced is brittle and has a low tensile strength and strain

capacity. The insertion of fibers, such as steel fibers, assists

in bridging cracks in the concrete, providing post-cracking

ductility. This means that even after substantial breaking, the

fibers allow the concrete to withstand significant loads. The

fibers increase strain at peak load and absorb a lot of energy in

the post-peak section of the load vs. deflection curve. As a

result, the primary job of fibers in concrete is to improve its

resistance to cracking and crack propagation, hence improving its

overall performance under a variety of loading conditions.

According to Shakil (2018), The important properties of steel

fiber reinforced concrete (SFRC) include its superior resistance

to cracking and crack propagation, increased extensibility and

tensile strength, post-cracking ductility, and improved energy

absorption characteristics. SFRC is known for its ability to

arrest cracks and hold the matrix together even after extensive

cracking. This transformation from a brittle to a ductile

material enhances its ability to withstand impact or dynamic

loading. SFRC also improves the bond between the matrix and

reinforcing bars, inhibiting crack growth. Additionally, SFRC can

increase the ultimate moment and ultimate deflection of

conventionally reinforced beams.

Steel fiber reinforced concrete (SFRC) mix design considerations

include various SFRC-specific elements. When compared to standard

concrete, SFRC mixes often require larger cement concentrations

and higher fine to coarse aggregate ratios. This is due to the

fact that SFRC must allow the addition of fibers while

maintaining workability and achieving the necessary mechanical

behavior. Up to 35% of the cement can be replaced with fly ash to

reduce the amount of cement used. Water-reducing admixtures and

superplasticizers, as well as air entrainment, are frequently

employed to improve the workability of greater fiber volume

mixes. The aspect ratio of the fibers and aggregate particle size

must also be addressed in the mix design. It is critical to

ensure a sufficient volume of uniformly scattered fibers to

accomplish the desired mechanical behavior improvements while

keeping workability. Fiber clumping must be avoided, which can be

caused by causes such as pre-existing clumping, adding fibers too

soon, or using an old or inefficient mixer.

By conducting an extensive examination of relevant scholarly

works, conducting experimental investigations, and employing

cutting-edge methodologies, the paper aims to provide a

comprehensive understanding of the complex characteristics of

this innovative concrete mixture. This will be achieved by

evaluating its mechanical properties, durability, and overall

structural effectiveness. Through an examination of research

voids and a synthesis of current knowledge, this study aims to

provide significant contributions to the ongoing dialogue

surrounding the optimization of concrete formulations to ensure

exceptional structural integrity.

c. Conceptual Framework

Independent Varibales Dependent Variables

 Compressive
Steel Fiber Strength
 Flexural
Strength
 Crack
Cold Drawn Wire Resistance
 Ductility

 Porosity
 Workability
 Adhesion

Mediating Variables

Figure 1. Conceptual Framework

The purpose of this methodical study is to determine whether

the structural performance of Steel Fiber Reinforced Concrete

(SFRC) can be improved through the addition of Cold Drawn Wire to

its composition. The effects of manipulating the independent

variable, which consists of different combinations of cold-drawn

wire and steel fibers, on the dependent variable, the structural

performance of the concrete, will be determined. Through the

assessment of durability and compressive and flexural strengths,

the research aims to offer an understanding of how these

modifications impact the concrete's resistance to environmental

conditions and pressures. An investigation will be conducted into

the mediating variable, namely the microstructure of the

concrete, in order to reveal the fundamental mechanisms by which

alterations in the composition impact the structural integrity as

a whole. By establishing a structured approach, this conceptual

framework facilitates the comprehension and optimization of SFRC

with Cold Drawn Wire in order to improve structural performance.