Effect of Stone Dust on the Strength Parameters of Steel Fiber Reinforced Concrete

Abstract

This study examines the combined influence of steel fibers and stone dust on the properties of concrete, with particular emphasis on workability, density, mechanical strength, and fracture behavior. The results indicate that the inclusion of both fibers and stone dust reduces workability, as evidenced by the decline in slump values. For example, the slump decreased from 150 mm in the control mix to 125 mm as the fiber content increased from 0% to 5%. Similarly, replacing natural sand with stone dust up to 25% led to a comparable reduction in slump values.
The research determined the ideal combinations for enhanced mechanical performance: 3% fiber and 15% stone dust for compressive strength, 4% fiber and 20% stone dust for flexural strength, and 3% fiber and 15% stone dust for split tensile strength. The incorporation of fiber and stone dust enhanced the ductility of the concrete, leading to a notable reduction in crack width and a delay in crack propagation when compared to standard concrete.