Reactive Powder Concrete Reinforced with Manufactured Fibers or Recycled from Waste Tire

Abstract

Reactive powder concrete is an improved type of concrete with high durability and strength compared to regular concrete. Its characteristics include that it does not contain coarse aggregate and all its components are smooth, so it has a homogeneous fine structure with few pores and high durability. It is also characterized by a low water-to-cement content, but it is brittle, so it is reinforced with fibers to make it more flexible. Manufactured steel fibers are expensive, and their manufacture also harms the environment and reduces non-renewable raw materials so that they can be replaced with steel fibers recycled from discarded tires. This study will compare the manufactured steel fibers and the recycled steel fibers from discarded tires in different proportions (0.25%, 0.5%, 0.75%, 1%, 1.25%, and 1.5%) for each of them. Their effect on the properties of reactive powder concrete will be known by conducting compressive strength, splitting tensile strength, flexural strength tests, thermal conductivity, and absorption. The results showed that recycled steel fibers from tires give higher compressive strength and flexural strength than manufactured steel fibers. The optimum dosage of recycled steel fiber is 1% and 0.75%.