Title:
Hybrid Steel Fiber-Reinforced Concrete for Pavement Overlays
Author(s):
Pratik Gujar, Beng Wei Chong, Precious Aduwenye, Xijun Shi, and Zachary C. Grasley
Publication:
Materials Journal
Volume:
122
Issue:
5
Appears on pages(s):
43-56
Keywords:
hybrid recycled and manufactured steel fibers; mechanical properties; multiscale fiber reinforcement; overlay design; recycled steel fibers (RSF)
DOI:
10.14359/51747871
Date:
9/1/2025
Abstract:
This study investigates the feasibility of using a hybrid combination of scrap tire recycled steel fiber (RSF) and manufactured steel fibers (MSF) in concrete pavement overlay applications. A total of five concrete mixtures with different combinations of MSF and RSF, along with a reference concrete mixture, were studied to evaluate fresh and mechanical properties. The experimental findings demonstrate that the concretes incorporating a hybrid combination of RSF with hooked-end MSF exhibit similar or higher splitting tensile strength, flexural strength, and residual flexural strength compared to that of concretes containing only hooked-end MSF, straight MSF, or RSF. This enhanced mechanical performance can be ascribed to the multiscale fiber reinforcement effect that controls different scales (micro to macro) of cracking, thereby providing higher resistance to crack propagation. The concretes containing only RSF show lower splitting tensile strength, flexural strength, and residual flexural strength compared to concrete solely reinforced with straight MSF or other steel fiber-reinforced concrete (SFRC) mixtures due to the presence of various impurities in the RSF such as thick steel wires, residual rubber, and tire textiles. Interestingly, blending RSF with hooked-end MSF overcomes these limitations, enhancing tensile strength, flexural strength, and residual flexural strength, while significantly reducing costs and promoting sustainability. Last, the findings from the pavement overlay design suggest that using a hybrid combination of RSF with hooked-end MSF can reduce the design thickness of bonded concrete overlays by 50% compared to plain concrete without fiber reinforcement, making it a practical and efficient solution.
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