Properties of freshly mixed carbon fibre reinforced self-consolidating concrete: Fid-Bau Portal

Properties of freshly mixed carbon fibre reinforced self-consolidating concrete

Yakhlaf, M. / Safiuddin, Md. / Soudki, K.A.

Highlights • Carbon fibres greatly affected the filling ability, passing ability, and segregation resistance of SCC mixes. • The T50 slump flow time was increased with the increase in carbon fibres content. • All CFRSCC mixes clearly passed the segregation resistance requirement. • The CFRSCC mixes with carbon fibres content up to 0.75% passed the requirements of SCC. • The carbon fibres were well distributed in all concrete mixtures, as observed from the SEM test.

Abstract This study examined the effects of discrete pitch-based carbon fibres on the fresh properties of self-consolidating concrete. Different carbon fibre reinforced self-consolidating concrete mixtures were produced incorporating 0%, 0.25%, 0.5%, 0.75% and 1% carbon fibres by concrete volume with two water-to-binder ratios (0.35 and 0.40). The flowing ability (filling ability and passing ability) of the concrete mixtures was determined with respect to slump flow, J-ring slump flow, and T50 slump flow time. The segregation resistance of the concrete mixtures was evaluated by using the sieve stability test. Visual stability index (VSI) was also used to assess the segregation resistance of concrete. Moreover, the freshly mixed concrete mixtures were tested for air content and unit weight. The hardened concretes were tested by a Scanning Electron Microscope to observe the distribution of fibres. Test results revealed that the increased amount of carbon fibres decreased the filling ability and passing ability of concrete. However, carbon fibres had no adverse effects on the segregation resistance of concrete. Also, no significant air entrapment occurred in the presence of carbon fibres. Carbon fibres were well-distributed and they slightly decreased the unit weight of concrete.