Evaluation of the impact of two types of steel fibers (SE), mono and 3D, on concrete properties, when added isolated or blended

Abstract The brittle behavior of concrete can be compensated by the addition of reinforcements, providing benefits such as improved crack control, residual strength and increased flexural strength. It is usual to apply mono fibers to concrete, but their positioning in the matrix may not be homogeneous, consequently increasing the susceptibility to fracture planes with fewer reinforcements. This study aimed to evaluate the use and behavior of simple (mono) and space (3D) steel fibers (SE), in order to achieve a more homogeneous mixture, increase the effectiveness of fibers in restricting cracks and improve mechanical properties. The fresh-state was assessed through slump and VeBe tests, whereas the hardened-state tests comprised axial compressive strength, flexural strength and the flexural toughness factor. The volume content of simple and space fibers varied from 0 to 0.93%. Based on the results, it can be stated that space and simple fiber contents improved rheological and mechanical properties of the composite in isolated (0.29%) and hybrid (0.64%) combinations, since their overall performance exceeded the other mixtures’. However, space fibers caused considerable workability losses compared to the conventional concrete, hindering its casting and harming its hardened-state properties.