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Building and Environment 40 (2005) 16721677

www.elsevier.com/locate/buildenv

Workability of hybrid ber reinforced self-compacting concrete

Mustafa Sahmaran, Alperen Yurtseven, I. Ozgur Yaman
Department of Civil Engineering, Middle East Technical University, 06531 Ankara, Turkey
Received 24 March 2004; received in revised form 9 December 2004; accepted 14 December 2004

Abstract

Compared to ber reinforced concrete (FRC), self-compacting concrete (SCC) is a relatively new type of concrete with high
owability and good cohesiveness. It offers very attractive economical and technical benets, which can be further extended when
combined with FRC. In this article two different types of steel bers were used, in combination, and the effects of ber inclusion on
the workability of hybrid ber reinforced self-compacting concrete (HFR-SCC) is studied. The effects of bers are quantied based
on the ber volume, length, and aspect ratios of the bers. It was concluded that in addition to the above-mentioned quantiable
three properties, other properties of bers such as shape and surface roughness are also found to be important but they cannot be
quantied at this stage.
r 2005 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

Keywords: Concrete; Workability; Self-compacting concrete; Hybrid ber reinforcement

1. Introduction test methods are used in quantifying the fresh properties

Self-compacting concrete (SCC) can be considered as
a concrete which has little resistance to ow so that it
can be placed and compacted under its own weight with
little or no vibration effort, yet possesses enough
viscosity to be handled without segregation or bleeding.
SCC was developed in Japan in the late 1980s as a
solution to achieve durable concrete structures indepen-
dent of the quality of construction work [1]. In designing
a SCC usually new generation polycarboxylic-based
super-plasticizers are utilized together with either some
chemical or mineral admixtures that provides the
necessary viscosity. The fresh mechanical properties of
SCC are often determined through the use of rhe-
ometers, which measures the viscosity and the yield
strength of concrete when it is in plastic state. However,
this equipment is lab-oriented and is not usually
practical for eld-use. Therefore, other eld-oriented
Corresponding author. Tel.: +90 312 210 5473;
fax: +90 312 210 1262.
E-mail address: ioyaman@metu.edu.tr (I. Ozgur Yaman).
and workability of SCC both in the lab and eld.
The term ber reinforced concrete (FRC) can be
dened as a concrete containing dispersed randomly
oriented bers. Inherently concrete is brittle under
tensile loading and mechanical properties of concrete
may be improved by randomly oriented discrete bers
which prevent or control initiation, propagation, or
coalescence of cracks [2]. The character and perfor-
mance of FRC changes, depending on the properties of
concrete and the bers. The properties of bers that are
usually of interest are ber concentration, ber geome-
try, ber orientation, and ber distribution. Moreover,
using a single type of ber may improve the properties
of FRC to a limited level. However the concept of
hybridization, adding two or more types of ber into
concrete, can offer more attractive engineering proper-
ties as the presence of one ber enables the more efcient
utilization of the potential properties of the other ber
[3,4].
Use of bers into SCC mixes has been presented by
many researchers [5,6]. Depending on many parameters
such as maximum aggregate size, ber volume, ber

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doi:10.1016/j.buildenv.2004.12.014
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M. Sahmaran et al. / Building and Environment 40 (2005) 16721677 1673

type, ber geometry, and ber aspect ratio, ber Table 1

Physical, mechanical, and chemical properties of Portland cement
inclusion to concrete reduces the workability of con-
crete. Reduction of workability in FRC is a handicap Properties %
for on-site applications. However, the combination of
hybrid FRC and SCC together can provide a way of Chemical
Insoluble residue 0.38
producing a hybrid ber reinforced self-compacting
SiO2 18.85
concrete (HFR-SCC) with superior properties in not Al2O3 5.58
only hardened state but also fresh state. Fe2O3 2.5
In this article, two different types of steel bers CaO 63.27
(Dramix ZP-305 and OL-6/16) are used, in combination, Free CaO 0.88
MgO 2.82
and the effect of ber inclusion on the workability of SO3 2.93
HFR-SCC is studied. Slump ow, V-funnel, and J-ring Loss on ignition 2.44
tests are performed to assess workability. Moreover, the Na2O 0.19
mechanical properties, namely the compressive and K2O 1.04
tensile strengths, and the ultrasonic pulse velocities of Physical and mechanical
HFR-SCC mixtures are also determined at various ages. Specic gravity (g/cm3) 3.11
Fineness (Blaine) (cm2/g) 3020
Initial setting time (min) 188
Final setting time (min) 240
2. Experimental program
Comp. strength (MPa),
1 day 18.7
The experimental program consisted of batching six 7 days 29.5
mixtures of HFR-SCC, a plain control mix and ve ber 28 days 42.4
reinforced mixes with a total ber content of 60 kg/m3.

2.1. Materials
Table 2
The properties of materials used in producing HFR- Grading of coarse and ne aggregate
SCC are as follows: Sieve size (mm) Fine (% passing) Coarse (% passing)

The cement used in all mixes was normal Portland 19 100 100
12.7 100 58.6
cement, which corresponds to ASTM Type I cement.
9.5 100 35.8
Chemical composition, physical and mechanical 4.75 96.9 0
properties of the cement are given in Table 1. 2.36 85.5

Limestone powder (LP) was used as a mineral 1.18 68.3
viscosity enhancing admixture. LP was a by-product 0.6 42.3
0.3 17.4
of marble extraction with a CaCO3 content of 98%
0.15 3.7
and a specic gravity of 2.70.

As for the aggregates, crushed limestone and crushed
sand from the same local source were used. As can be
seen from the gradation of the aggregates presented in
Table 2, the maximum aggregate size was 19 mm. The concrete mixtures. The chemical and physical proper-
coarse and ne aggregate each had a specic gravity ties of SP are shown in Table 3. The SP used in this
of 2.70, and water absorptions of 0.5% and 1.2%, study had a signicant price advantage over other
respectively. commercially available superplasticizers. Thus from

Two cylindrical steel ber types, one with hooked an engineering point of view, the use of this SP and
ends (Dramix ZP 305) and one straight type (Dramix investigation of its performance in SCC are found to
OL 6/16), were used. Their specic gravities were 7.85 be valuable.
and 7.17, respectively. The straight ber (OL 6/16)
was made of high strength steel with a brass coating,
which provides it with a relatively smooth surface.
The length and aspect ratio of the ZP 305 was 30 mm 2.2. Mixture proportions
and 55, respectively, compared to 6 mm and 37.5 of
OL 6/16. The ber content was kept constant at 60 kg/ Six mixtures, one control and ve ber reinforced,
m3 for all the mixtures. were prepared. Mixture proportions are given in

A novel polycarboxylic ether type superplasticizer Table 4. As seen from the table, except for the steel
(SP) produced by a local manufacturer was used in all bers all ingredients were kept constant. For the
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1674 M. Sahmaran et al. / Building and Environment 40 (2005) 16721677

Table 3
Properties of the superplasticizer

Specic gravity pH Solid content (%) Recommended amount (% cement weight) Main component

1.08 5.7 40 0.52.5 Polycarboxylic ether

Table 4
Mixture proportions

Mixture no w/ca Water (kg/m3) Cement (kg/m3) LP (kg/m3) Aggregate (kg/m3) Steel ber (kg/m3) SP (kg/m3)

Fine Coarse ZP 305 OL 6/16

1 0.4 200 500 70 990 586 0 0 9.5

2 0.4 200 500 70 977 578 60 0 9.5
3 0.4 200 500 70 977 578 42 18 9.5
4 0.4 200 500 70 977 578 30 30 9.5
5 0.4 200 500 70 977 578 18 42 9.5
6 0.4 200 500 70 977 578 0 60 9.5
a
w/c : water cement ratio.

mixtures with steel bers, the ber ratio of ZP305 to
total ber content was changed from 100, 70, 50, 30, and
0%. For all the mixes, the water/powder ratio by
volume was kept constant as 1.07 and is in the range of
SCC (0.801.10) given by the European Federation for
Specialist Construction Chemicals and Concrete Sys-
tems (EFNARC) [7] as shown in Table 4.
The ne and coarse aggregate together with bers was
initially dry mixed for about 30 s. This was followed by
the addition of cement, limestone powder and 1/3 of
total mixing water. After 1.5 min of mixing, the rest of
the mixing water together with the SP was added. All
batches were mixed for a total mixing time of 5 min.
Specimens for the testing of the hardened properties
were prepared by direct pouring of concrete into molds
without compaction.
For each mixture, six 150 mm cubes and three
150  300 mm cylinder specimens were cast. Cubes were
used for the determination of compressive strengths and
ultrasonic pulse velocities at 28 and 56 days, whereas
cylinders were used for the determination of split tensile
strength at 56 days. The specimens were demolded after
one day and then placed in a curing room with 90% RH
and 2023 1C temperature until the testing day.
2.3. Test procedures

The slump ow is used to evaluate the horizontal free
ow (deformability) of SCC in the absence of
obstructions. The test method is very similar to the
test method for determining the slump of concrete.
The difference is that, instead of the loss in height, the
diameter of the spread concrete is measured in two
perpendicular directions and recorded as slump ow
(Fig. 1a ). The higher the slump ow, the greater the
concretes ability to ll formworks. During the slump
ow test, the time required for the concrete to reach a
diameter of 500 mm is also measured and recorded as
t500. This parameter is an indication of the viscosity of
concrete and indicates how stable the concrete is. A
lower time points to a greater owability.

J-ring test is used to determine the passing ability of
the concrete. It is an extension of the slump ow test
in which a ring apparatus (Fig. 1b ) is used and the
difference in height between the concrete inside and
that just outside of the ring is measured. This gives an
indication of the passing ability, restricted deform-
ability, of concrete.

The V-funnel test is used to determine the owability
or viscosity of concrete. The funnel (Fig. 1c) is lled
with about 12 l of concrete and the time it takes for
the concrete to ow through the apparatus is
measured. Good owable and stable concrete would
consume a short time to ow out.

The workability methods used in this study are given

and standardized by the Self-Compacting-Concrete
Committee of EFNARC [7] and measure the free and
restricted deformability (slump ow and J-ring) and
stability (V-funnel and slump ow) of an SCC mix [8].
These three test procedures are briey described below:
2.4. Fresh and hardened properties
Basic workability requirements for successful casting
of SCC are summarized by Khayat [8] as excellent
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M. Sahmaran et al. / Building and Environment 40 (2005) 16721677 1675

Table 5
Tests on fresh concrete

Mixture no. Slump ow V-funnel time (s) J-ring DH (mm)

D (mm) t500 (s)

1 745 4.2 13.8 10.0

2 620 4.3 17.6 10.0
3 695 4.5 16.4 10.0
4 615 4.1 15.1 11.3
5 660 2.8 14.0 7.5
6 675 2.6 9.2 15.0

in Table 5. In addition to the above properties, visual

inspection of fresh concrete did not dictate any
segregation or considerable bleeding in any of the
mixtures.
All mixtures were tested for compressive strength at
28 and 56 days, and split tensile strength at 56 days in
accordance with the related ASTM standards. The
density of hardened concrete at 28 days and the
ultrasonic pulse velocities were also measured for all
mixes at 28 and 56 days. The average of three specimen
properties at a particular age was considered as its
property and presented in Table 6.

3. Results and discussion

As can be seen from Table 5, slump ow test results

Fig. 1. Workability tests and apparatus: (a) Slump ow, (b) J-ring, (c)
V-funnel.
deformability, good stability and low risk of blockage.
In this experimental program these three properties are
measured, respectively, by slump ow, V-funnel and J-
ring tests. The measured fresh properties are presented
show that all mixes had enough deformability under
their own weight, despite the ber inclusion, and had a
moderate viscosity, which is necessary to avoid segrega-
tion. V-funnel measurements of some mixes exceeded
the upper limit suggested by EFNARC (Table 7);
however it should be kept in mind that limits suggested
by EFNARC are designated for plain SCC.
As mentioned earlier, the viscosity of the HFR-SCC,
as dictated by the t500 measurements of the slump ow
test and V-funnel test, seemed to be affected by the ber
inclusion, giving shorter slump ow (t500) and V-funnel
test measurements and pointing out to a better owing
concrete. As presented in Fig. 2, as the volume fraction
(Vf) of OL 6/16 bers increased, the viscosity decreased
as dictated by the reduction in the slump ow (t500) and
V-funnel tests. On the other hand, both the slump ow
(D) and J-ring test results did not show any effect of
ber inclusion as seen in Fig. 3.
To quantify the effects of ZP305 and OL6/16 on the
viscosity of HFR-SCC, regression analysis is performed.
In FRC, the parameter Vfl/d, named ber factor, which
is the volume fraction of bers times the aspect ratio of
the ber, is used to identify the effects of bers.
Assuming the ber factor as the single parameter to
affect the properties of HRF-SCC, single-variate regres-
sion analyses are performed with respect to slump ow
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1676 M. Sahmaran et al. / Building and Environment 40 (2005) 16721677

Table 6
Tests on hardened concrete

Mix. no. Density (kg/m3) (28 days) Compressive strength (MPa) Split tensile strength (MPa) (56 days) Ultrasonic pulse velocity (m/s)

(28 days) (56 days) (28 days) (56 days)

1 2327 50.9 53.0 4.3 4823 4886

2 2389 49.5 52.7 4.6 4790 4873
3 2387 44.4 54.8 4.8 4690 4876
4 2362 56.3 61.5 5.1 4755 4772
5 2311 55.2 61.0 3.7 4742 4752
6 2349 58.9 63.2 3.6 4754 4790

(t500) and V-funnel tests and the following relationships

Table 7
EFNARC suggested workability limits
and correlation coefcients (R2) were obtained.

Method Unit Typical range values

V-funnels 12:5 5:89V f l=d R2 0:10,
Slump flow  t500 s 3:85  0:32V f l=d R2 0:01:
Min Max
As can be seen from the low correlation coefcients of
Slump ow mm 650 800
the above regression equations, the ber factor is not the
t500 Slump ow s 2 5
J-ring mm 0 10 only parameter affecting HFR-SCC properties. Since
V-funnel s 6 12 the bers had different geometry and surface roughness,
they have to be treated differently and multivariate
regression analyses should be performed using the ber
factor parameter as the variable. The following relation-
ships and R2 were obtained after such analyses.
1.50 V  funnels 13:8 11:2V f l=d ZP305  10:8V f l=d OL6=16 R2 0:90,
Slump flow  t500 s 4:20 1:16V f l=d ZP305  4:99V f l=d OL6=16 R2 0:79.
Normalized Measurement

1.25
As can be seen from the high correlation coefcients,
1.00
these equations tend to represent the original data quite
0.75 well. This could be explained by the OL 6/16 bers being
smaller then ZP 305 bers, thus having less potential to
0.50 prevent the movement of aggregates. In addition, OL 6/
t500 - Slump Flow 16 bers are coated with brass and have very smooth
0.25
V-funnel surfaces, which reduces the energy loss during the
0.00 movement of particles. On the other hand, ZP 305
0.0 0.2 0.4 0.6 0.8 1.0 bers have hooked ends, and relatively larger dimen-
Vf,OL6/16 / (Vf,OL6/16 + Vf,ZP305) sions thus cause blocking of particles during ow.
In addition to the fresh properties, some hardened
Fig. 2. Tests for stability (viscosity) of HFR-SCC. properties of the HFR-SCC are also determined. These
include the compressive, tensile, and ultrasonic pulse
1.50 velocity of concrete at various ages. As seen in Fig. 4, an
increase in compressive strengths was observed as the
Normalized Measurement

1.25 OL 6/16 content was increased in all mixes. Compared

with the mix having only ZP305, when only OL6/16 was
1.00
used both 28 and 56 day strengths increased on the
0.75 order of 20%. This trend can be attributed to the
relatively small dimensions of OL 6/16 bers, which
0.50 delay and to a certain extent prevent the formation and
Slump Flow - D propagation of micro-cracks in the concrete matrix. As
0.25
J-ring for the tensile strength, which is determined by the split
0.00 tension test, the split tensile strength seemed to be
0.0 0.2 0.4 0.6 0.8 1.0 affected by the bers and the effect of ber hybridization
Vf,OL6/16 / (Vf,OL6/16 + Vf,ZP305) can be observed on the obtained test results.
Highest split tensile strength occurred in mix 4 in which
Fig. 3. Tests for deformability of HFR-SCC. bers were proportioned equally. On the other hand,
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M. Sahmaran et al. / Building and Environment 40 (2005) 16721677 1677

1.25 invaluable data for the purpose of producing HFR-

1.20 f'c,28 SCC. In order to retain high level workability with ber
Normalized Measurement

f'c,56
1.15
ft,56
1.10
1.05
1.00
0.95
0.90
0.85
0.80
0.75
0.0 0.2 0.4 0.6
Vf,OL6/16 / (Vf,OL6/16 + Vf,ZP305)
Fig. 4. Tests for strength properties of HFR-SCC.
ultrasonic pulse velocities did not seem to be affected by
the amount of bers used in this article. The negligible
variation in the ultrasonic pulse velocity test results can
be considered as an indication of the uniformity of
concrete matrix in all mixes.
4. Conclusions
This paper discusses the preliminary results of an
ongoing experimental program carried out to investigate
the effects of ber inclusion on the ow characteristics
of HFR-SCC and mechanical properties in the hardened
state. Two different types of steel bers were used in
combination and tests were performed in both fresh and
hardened states.
It was observed that it is possible to achieve self-
compaction with considerable ber inclusion (60 kg/m3).
Although results obtained from some of the mixes
exceeded the upper limits suggested by EFNARC, all
mixes had good owability and possessed self-compac-
tion characteristics. SP with the commercial name
Smartow was successfully employed and proved to be
efcient in the production of an economical SCC
without the use of any viscosity enhancing chemical
admixtures. The results of this study yielded raw but
reinforcement, the amount of paste in the mix should be
increased to provide better dispersion of bers. Increas-
ing cement content, increasing ne aggregate content or
using pozzolanic admixtures can be alternative solutions
to this problem, and these alternatives will be investi-
gated through the progress of this experimental pro-
gram. As for the hardened properties, only the effects of
the strengthening component of ber reinforcement
were observed. The mix reinforced with only OL 6/16
0.8 1.0 bers had the highest compressive strength values at
both 28 and 56 days, whereas mix containing equal
amounts of ZP305 and OL 6/16 bers gave the highest
splitting tensile strength value. The effects of the
toughening component of ber reinforcement and ber
hybridization shall be observed and a clearer view shall
be attained with the results of the toughness tests, which
are yet to be obtained.
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