Flexural Behavior of Steel Fiber-Reinforced Rubberized Concrete

Abstract

This research focused on the study of the flexural load-deflection behavior of steel fiber reinforced rubberized concrete (SFRRC) up to the first-crack load. Specifically, this study used an experimental method to examine simultaneous flexural load-deflection response measurements on normal portland cement concrete (PCC), rubberized concrete (RC), steel fiber reinforced concrete (SFRC), SFRRC, and others. Other basic tests were utilized to characterize fresh mix and constituent material properties. Regression models were developed to predict the following: (1) first-net deflection; (2) net deflection at any applied load; and (3) first-crack load at different mix combinations of crumb rubber and steel fiber. Results from this investigation showed that the incorporation of crumb rubber imparts its elastic property to concrete; however, the additional gain in elasticity from the increased strength due to the incorporation of steel fiber as a second constituent played a more dominate role in improving this property.