Effect of Steel Fibers Reinforced High Strength Self-Consolidating Concrete (SFRHSCC) on axially loaded columns reinforced longitudinally and transversely by GFRP bars

Self-Consolidating Concrete (SCC) is a type of concrete, which provides high flow ability and cohesiveness when compared to conventional concrete. SCC offers several economical and technical benefits; and the use of steel fibers extends its possibilities. An experimental program was performed to evaluate the implementation of steel fibers in high strength self-consolidating concrete (SFRHSCC) in concentrically loaded columns reinforced by Glass Fiber Reinforced Polymers (GFRP) bars in longitudinal and transverse directions. All columns were tested under concentric axial compressive loads. Seven square columns were tested, and classified into three groups. All columns, have 150 cm height, cross section of 20×20 cm, longitudinal reinforcement of 4Φ10 and transverse reinforcement of 8Φ 8/m. Group one is considered as a reference, and consisted of two columns. One Column in the first group was poured using conventional concrete and the other column was reinforced by GFRP bars. Group 2 is consisted from two columns and was cast by using self-consolidating concrete with steel fibers volume fraction of 0.0% and 0.75% and were reinforced by GFRP bars. Group 3 is consisted of three columns and was cast by using high strength self-consolidating concrete with steel fibers volume fraction of 0.0%, 0.75% and 1.5% and were reinforced by GFRP bars. It was found that the effect of steel fibers in high strength self-consolidating concrete (SFRHSCC) enhances the ultimate load, cover spalling load, ductility and energy absorption capacity.