Mechanical, toughness, bond and durability-related properties of lightweight concrete reinforced with steel fibres

Abstract

This paper presents an experimental investigation of the mechanical, toughness, bond and some durability-related properties of oil palm shell lightweight concrete (OPSC) containing up to 1.0% steel fibres. While the inclusion of up to 1.0% steel fibres gave enhanced tensile and bond strength as well as toughness to the OPSC, little influence was noticed in the case of the compressive strength and modulus of elasticity of the concrete. When some durability-related properties was investigated, it was found that the OPSC containing 0.5% steel fibres showed no deterioration of the permeation properties, whereas further increase to 0.75 and 1.0% steel fibre volume resulted in the increase in the water absorption and sorptivity values. On the other hand, reduction of up to 21 % of the OPSC drying shrinkage could be attained in the presence of up to 1.0% steel fibres.