Title: Corrosion of Steel Fiber Reinforced Concrete

Author(s): K. Kosa and A. E. Naaman

Publication: Materials Journal

Volume: 87

Issue: 1

Appears on pages(s): 27-37

Keywords: compression tests; concrete durability; corrosion; strength; fiber reinforced concretes; flexural tests; metal fibers; sodium chloride; tension tests; Materials Research

DOI: 10.14359/2337

Date: 1/1/1990

Abstract:
The results of an extensive experimental investigation of the deterioration of steel fiber reinforced concrete due to fiber corrosion is presented. About 1100 specimens were tested. Two parallel test programs were conducted: One dealt with the effect of corrosion on steel fiber reinforced mortar specimens, and the other dealt with the effects of using pre-corroded fibers in mortar specimens. Different exposure periods with typical 3-day cycling, respectively, in 3.5 percent standard sodium-chloride solution and laboratory air were used with different solution temperatures. The effects of corrosion were evaluated by measuring several variables, namely, mechanical properties of the composite in direct tension, bending and compression, toughness, evaluation of corroded surface of the fibers, and measurements of minimum fiber diameter after exposure. All experimental results seem to indicate that, following a certain degree of corrosion, strength and toughness decrease with an increase in the degree of corrosion, and these mechanical properties are primarily affected by the reduction in minimum fiber diameter. For a certain level of exposure or degree of corrosion, the degree in toughness was much more dramatic than the decrease in strength. A simple analytical model that accounts for the effect of reduction in minimum fiber diameter on the tensile properties is developed and is shown to lead to predictions and trends similar to those observed in the experimental results.