EXPERIMENTAL STUDY ON FLEXURAL BEHAVIOUR OF REINFORCED

GEOPOLYMER CONCRETE BEAM WITH STEEL FIBER

By
ARPITH C L
M.Tech. II Year
Structural Engineering
USN: 1KG16CSE01

Under the Supervision of

VEERENDRA KUMAR M

Department of Civil Engineering

K. S. School of Engineering and Management
No. 15, Mallasandra, off Kanakapura Road
Bengaluru-560109
 CONTENTS

 INTRODUCTION

 LITERATURE REVIEW

 RESERCH AIM AND OJECTIVE

 METHADOLOGY

 DESIGN / EXPERIMENTATION

 TEST RESULTS AND DISCUSSION

 CONCLUSION

 REFERENCE
 INTRODUCTION

GEOPOLYME
HISTORY CONCRETE

COURSE FLY
GGBS M-SAND
AGGRGARE ASH

SODIUM SODIUM SUPER

SILICAYTE HYDROXIDE PLASTICIZER

MIXING
FIBERS
WATER
HISTORY IN THIS REGARD, THE CURRENT STRUCTURES SHOULD BE RE-
EVALUATED AND MAY EXPECT REINFORCING TO MEET THE
HIGHER CAPACITY OF THE PRESENT DAY NECESSITIES.

RESTORATION OF WEAKENED CEMENT STRUCTURES IS AN

OVERWHELMING BURDEN FROM THE FINANCIAL PERSPECTIVE
CONCRETE IS THE ONE OF THE IMPORTANT CONSTRUCTION VIEW SINCE IT PROMPTS HUGE CLIENT COSTS.
MATERIAL AND STANDS SECOND IN GLOBAL USE AFTER WATER
EROSION, SPALLING OF CEMENT CONCRETE COVER AND SO ON.
CREATION OF 1 TONNE OF CEMENT LIBERATES ABOUT 0.50 THIS IS CAUSED BY AGE AND PRESENTATION TO ANTAGONISTIC
TONNE OF CO2 DUE TO DECOMPOSITION OF LIME STOME AND SITUATIONS
ADDTION 0.40 TONNE OF CO2 DUE TO BURNING OF CARBON
BASED FUEL IN ORDER TO OVERCOME ALL THESE DRAW BACKS AND ISSUES
AND TO MINIMIZE THE CLIMATE CHANGE CAUSED BY THE
MANUFACTURE OF PORTLAND CEMENT, RESEARCHERS AROUND
MANUFACTURE OF 1 TONNE OF PORTLAND CEMENT
THE WORLD ARE TRYING TO FIND AN ALTERNATIVE CEMENTING
LIBERATES SAME AMOUNT OF CO2 MATERIAL WHICH CAN OVERCOME THE DURABILITY ISSUES OF
CEMENT CONCRETE AND WHICH IS ALSO ENVIRONMENTAL
ONE OF THE IMPORTANT DRAWBACK OF THE CEMENT FRIENDLY
CONCRETE IS ABOUT ITS DURABILITY ISSUES WHICH RESULTS IN
THE FAST DECAY OF CONCRETE WHEN IT IS USED IN
FOUNDATION, FRENCH PROFESSOR DAVIDOVITS IN THE YEAR 1978 CAME OUT
WITH A NEW BINDER CALLED GEOPOLYMER . HE PRESENTED
THAT WHEN ALKALINE LIQUID REACTS WITH THE SILICA (SI) AND
THE NEED OF HIGHER LOAD CARRYING LIMIT IN NUMEROUS ALUMINIUM (AL) IONS, IT FORMS A BINDING GEL WHICH BIND
CURRENT STRUCTURES DEVELOPED FOR SOME PARTICULAR THE AGGREGATES TO FORM A HARD MASS
REASON HAS PROMPTED TO REMODEL OR AUGMENTATION OF
SUCH STRUCTURES
Geopolymers belong to the family of inorganic polymers. Its the chemical combination of natural zeolitic
materials.

Geopolymer constitutes of the alkaline liquid and the source materials.

The soluble alkaline metals like potassium and sodium is used to form alkaline liquid. Sodium
hydroxide (NaOH) and sodium silicate (Na2SiO3) is combined to form alkaline liquid.

The source materials are the Si and Al which can be obtained from natural minerals i.e. mica,
kaolinite, clay, volcanic ash, etc. or alternatively from byproduct materials such as silica fume, fly-ash
(F-a), grounded blast furnace slag, husk ash etc.

The geopolymer depends upon thermally activated typical materials like Fly Ash or grounded blast
furnace slag to which is having rich source of Si and Al.

The reaction of F-a with a liquid containing NaOH and Na2SiO2 achieves a material with three-
dimensional polymeric chain and ring structure including Si-O-Al-O bonds.

This polymeric chain essentially influences the mechanical and compound properties of the ensuing GPC,
and moreover makes it more durable than conventional cement concrete.
 Literature Review

1. Flexural behavior of the 2. Flexural behavior of fiber

reinforced geopolymer reinforced geopolymer
concrete beams concrete beams
 Flexural behavior of the Reinforced Geopolymer Concrete Beams
SL AUTHOR YEAR DISCRIPTION FINDINGS
.NO
1. P.A.Prabhakaran et.al, August Author mainly concentrated on the comparison of reinforced Finally it was seen that
2017 cement concrete beam and GPC beams in flexure. Series of the load carrying strength
experimental mixes were determined to obtain the compressive of reinforced GPC beam
strength of the cement concrete and GPC around 30 Mpa. was more than reinforced
Reinforced geopolymer and cement concrete beams were casted cement concrete beam
with identical dimensions, tensile steel reinforcement, by 19.2%.
compression steel reinforcement and stirrups. The beams where
subjected to pure flexural loading. Load and deflection readings
were recorded from the instruments
2 S.Kumaravel et.al, March Author mainly concentrated on the comparison of reinforced From test results it is seen
2013 cement concrete beam and GPC beams in flexure. Series of that the ultimate strength
experimental mixes were determined to obtain the compressive of RGCC beam is more
strength of the cement concrete and GPC around 38.5 N/mm2 when seen with
and 34.5 N/mm2 respectively. Reinforced beams of cement reinforced cement
concrete and GPC where casted with identical dimensions, tensile concrete beam by
steel reinforcement, compression steel reinforcement and 13.87%. The cracking
stirrups. The beams where subjected to pure flexural loading. patterns and failure
modes absorbed were
found to be identical for
both beams.
 Flexural behavior of fiber reinforced geopolymer concrete Beams
SL AUTHOR YEAR DISCRIPTION FINDINGS
.NO
1. Anil Ronad August focused on determining the charecteristics of basalt From the experimental result it is noticed that
et,al. 2016 fiber RGCC under flexure. The parameters flexural strength improves linearly for the basalt
considered in the investigation were adding basalt fiber volume content from 0.5% to 2.5%, after
fibers in volume fraction from 0.5% to 2.5%. which it is noticed as a steep decrease in
Standard flexural beam was casted and ambient flexural strength with further increase of basalt
cured for 28 days after which the flexural properties fibers. The maximum improvement in flexural
were determined in UTM by subjecting it to pure strength is by 68% at 2% volume fraction of
bending test with effective length of 600 mm. basalt fiber. Hence addition of short discrete
fibers improves that flexural performance of
GPC beams
2 Rekha K P and July This present work deals with the strength of fresh From the experiment it was found that the
Hazena R. 2014 properties, strength and durability of fly ash based workability of geopolymer concrete is
fiber reinforced geo-polymer concrete. The study is decreased with increase of fiber concrete and
limited to geo polymer concrete with 0.25% to 1% compressive strength is increased with increase
volume fraction of steel fibers. Reinforced beams of fiber content. Flexural8strength also increased
cement and GPC where casted with identical with increase in percentage of fibers.
dimensions, tensile steel reinforcement,
compressive steel reinforcement and stirrups.
 o

Findings from the s

t
Literature survey u
d
y

t
h
e

f
l
e
1. RGCC achieves more strength then reinforced concrete
x of short discrete steel fibers improved the overall
2. Addition
beams with both concrete having similar compressive
u behavior of GPC considerably
strength.
r
a
l

b
e
h
a
v
i
o
r

o
f
 Research

Aim Objectives
To determine the bending behavior of the RGCC beams 1. To conduct literature survey on bending behavior of RGCC
with the inclusion of short discrete steel fibers. beams and the effect of short discrete fibers on GPC.
2. To find the physical properties of materials such as F-a,
GGBS, M-sand and coarse aggregate.
3. To proportion the SCGPC mix of M50 grade (1:2:4)
4. To cast RGCC beams with inclusion of the different volumes
fraction of short discrete steel fibers.
5. To determine the flexural properties and curvature ductility
of RGCC beam with short discrete steel fibers by subjecting it
to 4-point bending test.
 Methodology

For 5 Objectives

Methodology Methodology Methodology Methodology Methodology

for objective 1 for objective 2 for objective 3 for objective 4 for objective 5
The extensive The basic physical The mix proportion of Steel moulds where The flexural
literature survey has and strength M50 grade SCGPC fabricated for the propertied of the
been carried out properties of the have been required sizes and GPC beam with
and presented in materials such as F- determined by reinforced steel short discrete steel
literature survey a, GGBS, M-sand upgrading the cage was fabricated fibers has been
existing mixes
section as and coarse and inserted with in found out by
available in the
presented above. aggregate, sodium literature and the final the mould with determining the
hydroxide, sodium mix proportion is suitable bottom following:
silicate have been explained in the plastic cover after 1. Displacement
determined as per upcoming slides. which SCGPC with ductility capacity.
Indian standards. various volume
fraction of steel 2. Energy
fiber was poured, absorption capacity.
there by achieving 3. Curvature
RGCC beam with ductility.
steel fibers.
 Design / Experimentation
Establishment of Properties of the Materials GPC Alkaline Solution Fly Ash
• Fly Ash, Coarse Aggregate, • NaOH • Thermail Power Plant
• GGBS, Super Plasticizer,
• Na2SiO3 • Raichur
• M-Sand, Fibers,
• Alkaline Solution

GGBS Sodium Silicate Sodium

• JSW GGBS • Liquid form Hydroxide
• Local Market • Chemical industry at • Flakes form
Harohalli Industrial layout • Local dealer

Steel Fibers M-Sand Coarse

• Crimped Steel Fibers • Local rock crushing Aggregate
• Fiber manufacturing industry industries • Local rock crushing
• Orissa • Bidadi village
industries
• Bidadi village
 Properties
of Fly Ash  Pictorial presentation
of Fly Ash used in this
Report

Element Constituent in %  Constituents of Fly Ash by XRD analysis

Binder  Studied with respect to ASTM C311 /
Fe2O3 MgO SO3 Na2O CaO SiO2 Al2O3 Chlorides
C311M-18
Fly-ash 1.5 0.75 0.53 1.35 3.20 61.12 31.23 0.06  Classified as Class-F Fly Ash

 More than 80% of the particle size SL. No. Properties Result
was less than 45 microns
1. Specific gravity 2.181
 Properties  Pictorial presentation
of GGBS of GGBS used in this
Report

Binder Element Constituent in %

Fe2O3 MgO S MnO CaO SiO2 Al2O3 Chlorides

 Constituents of Fly Ash by XRD analysis
GGBS

0.65 8.65 2.23 0.325 37.23 37.21 13.24 0.03

 As per IS: 12089-1987 SL. No. Properties Results

 More than 85% of the particle size of the GGBS
1 Specific gravity 2.923
was less than 45 microns
Properties of
Coarse  Pictorial presentation
Aggregates of Coarse Aggregates
used in this Report

Characteristics of Coarse Aggregates

IS Codes
SL. No. Nature of Test Test Result

1. Specific Gravity 2.668 IS 2386 – 3

2. Impact test 15.38 % IS 2386 – 4

 As per the Bauru of
Indian Standards
3. Crushing test 18.21 % IS 2386 - 4

4. Abrasion test 25.93 % IS 2386 - 4

5. Water absorption 0.568 % IS 2386 - 3

Properties  Pictorial presentation
of M-Sand of M-Sand used in
this Report

Characteristics of M-Sand
 The grading of the M-sand was determined
by conducting sieve analysis
SL. No. Nature of Test Result
 Based on sieve analysis results the
manufacturing sand was confining to
1 Specific Gravity 2.645
grading zone II as per IS-383(1970)
 Specific gravity determined from
pycnometer analysis as per IS 2386-3
2 Fineness Modulus 2.71
Properties
of Sodium  Pictorial presentation
of Sodium Silicate
Silicate used in this Report

Sl.No. Nature of Property Result

1 Specific Gravity 1.39  Available in solid form or the form of

aqueous and are well-known as liquid glass
Composition Mass (%)
and water glass solution
 The weight ratio of SiO2:Na2O sodium
Sodium Oxide (Na2O) 14.60
silicate was found to be 2
2
 Forms an activator solution when it
Silica dioxide (SiO2) 29.20 combines with the sodium hydroxide and
combines the materials by acting as a
Water 56.20
bonding agent
Properties
of Sodium  Pictorial presentation
Hydroxide of Sodium Hydroxide
used in this Report

 Caustic soda is well-known in the name of

sodium hydroxide (NaOH) is whitish in color
Sl.No Nature of property Result and is available in commercial form as
pellets
 These pellets are highly soluble in water and
liberates large amount of heat when reacts
1. Purity 98 %
with water forming an odorless and
colorless solution
 Super  To provide a necessary workability super
plasticizers plasticizer is used as important ingredient
which is a brown color liquid. Depending
upon the concrete mix trails the amount
required for the mixing is determined. The
super plasticizer used here is Master
Glenium SKY 8233

Mixing  A good portable drinking

water mineral water which is free from
all types of hardness, acidity and
alkalinity is used for making
alkaline solution
 Fibers  Pictorial presentation
of fibers used in this
Report

 Steel fibers are mainly used within concrete for enhancing its mechanical properties by imparting ductility.
Steel fibers possess large tensile strength.
 Addition of steel fibers to the concrete will improve the crack resistance capability of the concrete. It also
leads to increase in many properties related to cracking which are ductility, toughness, thermal loading,
and the resistance to impact and energy absorption.
 The varying types of steel fiber are straight, hooked end, crimped and paddled steel fibers. In the current
investigation, a crimped type steel fiber used is as shown in Figure above.
 The length of the fiber is 33 mm, Dia is 0.5 mm, Tensile strength around 1000 MPa and Young’s modulus
is 200 G Pa.
Ductility of reinforced concrete beam
 Ductility can be explained as the measure of capacity of a reinforced concrete beam to undergo a large deformation without rupture
before the failure i.e the ability to undergo huge deformation beyond the yield point without the decrease in its strength i.e. resistance
to the load.
 The load deflection curve is essential for determining the ductility of flexural member. Ductility factor is explained as the ratio of the
deflection at failure to the yielding of steel. The ductility factors are calculated for different steel fiber content along with longitudinal
tensile steel content in the beam.
Ductility computation
The following parameters influence the ductility of the reinforced concrete beams
 Content of longitudinal tension reinforcement:
The decrease in the tensile steel ratio results in the increase of the ductility of reinforced concrete beam. Excess amount of tensile steel
reinforce will result in smashing of concrete before steel yields there by resulting in brittle failure.
 Percentage of compression reinforcement:
Decrease in the compression steel ratio will result in decrease in the ductility of reinforced concrete beam. Therefore, increasing in the
percentage of compression steel reinforcement will increase ductility.
 Shape of the cross section:
In flanged beams, the ductility increases when the neutral axis at collapse stage falls within the flange.
 Grade of steel reinforcement:
The grade of steel and concrete also influences the ductility.
 Lateral reinforcement:
It is provided in the form of stirrups so that the concrete in compression zone has more ductility.
 Yield and ultimate strain of reinforcement.
 Percentage content of discrete fibers present in the beam.
 Geopolymer Concrete Mix

Quantity in kg per cubic

Specimen
meter
Fly-ash 440
Trial and error mix process by referring to
GGBS 110 the works carried out by Partasarthi et,al.
The molarity of the sodium hydroxide
Sodium silicate 225 was varied from 8M to 14M.
Master Glenium SKY 8233 superplastizer
Sodium hydroxide 90 (10M) was used for achieving self –compacting
workability.
Course aggregates 838 Crimped steel fibers were incorporated in
volume fraction from 0.5% to1.5%.
M-Sand 600

Water 4.50

Super plasticizer 6.75

 Preparation of Alkaline Solution
 The reactor solution is to be
produced 1 day before concrete
mixing process
 Sodium hydroxide will be in the
Sodium form of flakes and sodium silicate
Distilled Hydroxide in form of semi liquid form
water  The required amount of distilled
water is calculated and flakes were
added to distilled water to form
Sodium NaOH
Silicate

Alkaline Solution
 Casting of the Specimens

SL. No. Nomenclature Description

 Cubes having dimension of B = 150 mm, D =
Top: 2 # 10mm dia bars
150 mm and H =150 mm were casted and
tested for 7 and 28 day’s compressive strength. Bottom: 2 # 12mm dia bars

 Cylinders having dimension of B = 150 mm and 1. BEAM 1 Stirrups: 8mm dia at 150mm

H of 300 mm were casted and tested for C/C.

determining 7 and 28 day’s split tensile strength. Steel fiber : 0%
 Small modulus of rupture beams having s B = Top: 2 # 10mm dia bars
100 mm and H = 100 mm and L = 500 mm Bottom: 2 # 12mm dia bars
were casted and tested for 7 and 28 day’s 2. BEAM 2 Stirrups: 8mm dia at 150mm
flexural strength.
C/C.
 Flexural properties of reinforced concrete
Steel fiber : 0.5%
beams are determined by testing actual beam
having dimension of B = 150 mm and D = 200 Top: 2 # 10mm dia bars

mm and L = 2200 mm in the loading frame Bottom: 2 # 12mm dia bars

under 4-point bending test with effective span 3. BEAM 3 Stirrups: 8mm dia at 150mm
of 2000mm. The response of beam in terms of C/C.
applied load, central deflection and external Steel fiber : 1%
strain at mid-section were recorded in data Top: 2 # 10mm dia bars
acquisition system. Bottom: 2 # 12mm dia bars
4. BEAM 4 Stirrups: 8mm dia at 150mm
 Fabrication of Mould

Breadth = 150 mm Top and bottom open

Depth = 200 mm and steel channel section
Length = 2200 mm
Casting of Reinforced Geopolymer Concrete
Beams with steel fibers
Mould
• Steel mold having steel reinforcement cage have been used the beams with dimension of
B = 150 mm, D = 200 mm and L = 2200 mm.
• For the form work, we have used the smooth and well finished steel frame work. Smooth
plastic sheet is used as base cover to the beam so as to have smooth surface at base of the
beam

Reinforcement
• The top compression steel in the beam consists of varied as 2 # of 10 mm Dia bar.
• The bottom tensile steel in the beam consists of varied as 2 # of 12 mm Dia bar.
• A stirrup consists of 8 mm Dia at 150 mm C/C.
• Steel fibers used in the GPC varied from 0.5% to 1.5%.

Clear Cover
• Clear cover is provided by providing 18 mm cover block which is placed at the bottom
of the steel reinforcement cage.
• Trowel is used to get smooth and well finished top beam surface
 Testing Method and Result

 Test on Fresh Properties

Workability in Workability test on freshly mixed SCGPC was

Obtained values Limit value determined as per the provisions of EFNARC-2005. The
seconds
various workability test conducted on the SCGPC such
V-funnel test 10.18 sec 6 – 12 sec as L-Box test, U-Box test, V-funnel test and Flow test

Flow test value in

685 mm >= 650 mm
mm

L-Box
1.00 >= 0.85
(H1-H2) Ratio

U-Box
1.00 1
(H1-H2) Ratio
 Compressive Strength on Cubes and Result

 The compressive strength test is carried out by placing

concrete cube specimen in CTM with capacity of 3000kN.
 The load is applied gradually and continued till the rapture
of specimens.
 At the point of rupture of the specimen the peak load and
peak stress is noted.
 CS was determined by testing Indian standard cube in
compression testing mission as per the provisions of IS
516.

  Average CS in   Average CS
Fibers (%) Load in kN Fibers (%) Load (kN)
MPa in MPa
   
0.0 812.22 36.1 0.0 1355.95 60.3
  0.5 996.68 44.3   0.5 1834.18 81.5
1.0 920.29 40.9 1.0 1760.39 78.2
7 day 28 days

1.5 859.48 38.2 1.5 1583.59 70.4

 CS for 7 Day CS at 28 Day
50 81.5 78.2
44.3
45 40.9 80 70.4
38.2 60.3
36.1
40
60
35

CS (Mpa)
CS (Mpa)

30
40
25
20
20
15
10 0
5 0% 0% 0% 1% 1% 1% 1% 1% 2%
0
0% 0% 0% 1% 1% 1% 1% 1% 2% Persentage of Steel Fibers
Persentage of Steel Fibers

Comparision of CS at 7days and 28days

100
80

CS (Mpa)
60
40
20
0
0.00% 0.50% 1.00% 1.50%

Persentage of Steel Fibesrs

7 Days 28 Days

Discussion :

The fiber had sizeable influence on the enhancement of compressive strength. Addition of 0.5% steel fiber had
highest increase in the compressive strength of the GPC by 22.71% at 7 days and 35.16% at 28 days respectively.
 Split Tensile Strength

 The split tensile test is carried out by placing the

concrete cylindrical horizontally in CTM with capacity
of CTM of 3000kN.
 The load is applied and continued until the specimen
ruptures. At the point of rapture of the specimen, peak
load is noted.
 The STS test was carried out as per IS 5816 on
standard cylindrical specimens were casted and tested.

  Average
Fibers (%) Load (KN) Average STS
STS (MPa) Fibers (%) Load (KN)
  (MPa)
0.0 120.21 1.7
7 days 0.50 127.19 1.8
 28 days 0.0 230.9 3.3
1.0 169.70 2.4
0.50 264.2 3.7
1.0 351.5 5.0
1.50 197.85 2.8 1.50 409.0 5.8
 7
7 Day STS
6
28 Day STS 5.8
3 2.8
5
2.4 5
2.5

STS (Mpa)
4 3.7
21.7 1.8 3.3
STS (Mpa)

3
1.5
2
1
1
0.5
0
0 0% 0% 0% 1% 1% 1% 1% 1% 2%
0% 0% 0% 1% 1% 1% 1% 1% 2%
Comparision of STS at 7day and 28day Persentage of Steel Fibers
Persentage of Steel Fibers
7
6
5

STS (Mpa)
4
3
2
1
0
0.00% 0.50% 1.00% 1.50%

Persentage of Steel Fibesrs

7 Days 28 Days

Discussion :

It is seen that steel fiber had considerable influence on improving the split tensile strength at 7 and 28 days. The plot of
split tensile strength v/s percentage steel fiber content as above have clearly indicated that STS directly proportional to
steel fiber content. The maximum increase in STS was found to be 64.71% and 75.76% at 7 and 28 days respectively for
the steel fiber content of 1.5%.
 Flexural Tensile Strength (FTS)

 The flexural tensile strength test is carried out by placing

the specimen in the UTM with the capacity of 300kN.
 The four-point load is applied gradually and continued until
the specimen fails. At the point of failure, the peak load
value is noted.
 The FTS is determined by testing standard prism at the age
of 7 and 28 days respectively in UTM as per IS 516.

Fibers (%) Load (kN) Average FTS (MPa) Fibers (%) Load (kN) Average FTS (MPa)

0.0 5.75 2.3 0.0 10.50 4.2

7 days 28 days
0.5 7.75 3.1 0.5 14.00 5.6

1.0 8.25 3.3 1.0 15.25 6.1

1.5 8.75 3.5 1.5 16.25 6.5

 FTS at 7 day FS at 28 days
4 7 6.5
3.5 6.1
3.5 3.3 6 5.6
3.1
3 54.2

FS (MPa)
2.52.3
FTS (MPa)

4
2 3
1.5 2
1 1
0.5 0
0% 0% 0% 1% 1% 1% 1% 1% 2%
0
0% 0% 0% 1% 1% 1% 1% 1% 2% Persentage of Steel Fibers
Persentage of Steel Fibers Comparison of FTS at 7 and 28day
7
6
5

FTS (Mpa)
4
3
2
1
0
0.00% 0.50% 1.00% 1.50%

Persentage of Steel Fibesrs

Discussion : 7 Days 28 Days

It is seen that there is appreciable enhancement in the flexural strength at 7 and 28 days with addition of 0.5% and
1% steel fibers however there is small increase in flexural strength from steel fiber content of 1%to 1.5% at the age of
7 days and 28 days. The maximum increase in flexural strength was found to be 52.17% and 54.76% at the steel fiber
content of 1.5% at 7 and 28 days respectively.
Testing Setup for RGCC Beams

 The RGCC beams were tested under the loading frame fixed under the strong base.
 The capacity of the loading frame is 50 tones.
 The rate at which loading is applied as per ASTM standards.
 Loads were applied by servo controlled hydraulic jack. Loading rate was set for deflection rate of 2.5 mm/min
 The beam of effective span 2000 mm was simply supported with rollers.
 Two concentrated loads were applied transversely at 1/3rd and 2/3rd length points.
 To measure the deflection of the beam at center point, LVDT was used. LVDT was placed in the bottom mid-span point
for recording deflection. The electric resistance strain gauges were bonded at critical section
 The external strain on the beam was measured from electric resistance strain gauges.
 The test begins with the gradual application of load. The magnitude of the load applied and its corresponding induced
mid span deflection and external strain at center span section was simultaneously recorded in the data acquisition
system. The loading procedure is continued until the ultimate movement capacity of the section is reached followed
with excessive deflection taking place with marginal reduction in the movement capacity of the section and then loading
is stopped.
 Load applied, mid span deflection and strain induced in the mid span section is simultaneously recorded in data
acquisition system.
 Finally, the data acquired from data acquisition system is further processed to obtain the load deflection curve and
strain on the external surface of center span section.
  Load versus Deflection Behavior (P v/s ∆)

Load v/s Deflection

60

50

40 Discussion :
Load applied in kN

0.00% Fibers

30
0.50%
1.00%
Fibers
Fibers
The behavior of load versus deflection as seen
1.50% Fibers from Figure clearly indicates the initial linear
20 portion up to the first yielding of reinforcement
followed by non-liner behavior in the post yield
10 zone and reaches ultimate value after which there
is huge deflection followed with negligible
0 decrease in ultimate moment capacity.
0 10 20 30 40 50 60 70

Mid span ∆ in mm
This behavior is as same to that of reinforced
cement concrete beam.
The inclusion of fibers had considerable influence
in enhancing the yield and ultimate moment
capacity of RGCC beams.
 Outcome of steel fiber on ultimate moment
and yield moment capacity of the section Percentage of steel Yield moment Ultimate moment
fiber My (kN-m) Mu (kN-m)
Percentage steel fiber V/S Yield and ultimate moment
17
16.5 0.00% 14.00 15.17
Moment capacity (kN-m)

16
Yield
15.5 moment
0.50% 14.97 16.10
15
14.5 Ultimat
e
14 1.00% 14.66 16.38
moveme
13.5 nt

13
12.5 1.50% 15.06 16.39
0.00% 0.20% 0.40% 0.60% 0.80% 1.00% 1.20% 1.40% 1.60%

Persentage of steel fiber

Discussion :

 The plot of percentage steel fiber V/S moment capacity as shown in clearly indicates that addition of steel fibers
enhances the yield and ultimate moment capacity of the RGCC beam.
 The maximum increase in yield moment was 6.92% noticed at 0.5% steel fiber content followed with negligible
decrease at 1% steel fiber content followed with gradual increase at 1.5% steel fiber content by 7.57%. Similar
effect is seen with respect to ultimate moment capacity of the section. There is considerable increase in ultimate
moment by 6.56% at 0.5% steel content followed with gradual increase in ultimate moment capacity up to 1.5%
steel fiber content by 8.04%.
 Ductility Characteristics of RGPC Beams
  Structural displacement ductility factor is defined as the ratio of absolute
maximum deflection to corresponding yield deformation.
 If ∆y is the corresponding steel yield deformation and ∆u ultimate
deformation where load deformation curve has a negative slope,
displacement ductility factor (µ) is obtained from the equation

Displacement ductility factor V/S Percentage volume fraction of

Percentage of     µ (Ductility steel fiber
steel fibers ∆y mm ∆u mm factor) 2.5
2.29
2.16 2.15
2

Ductility Factor
1.61
0% 15.11 32.62 2.16 1.5 12
m
1 m
0.5% 10.98 17.77 1.61 bar
0.5
1% 13.49 30.98 2.29
0
0% 1% 2%

1.5% 11 23.74 2.15 Percentage of fibers

Discussion :
The ductility characteristics as seen in Figure clearly indicates that there is considerable decrease in displacement
ductility at 0.5% steel fiber content by 25.46% followed by steep increasing trend up to 1% steel fiber content by
6.02% followed by decreasing trend up to 1.5% steel fiber content equal to that of 0% fiber content.
  Energy Absorption Capacity (EAC) of RGCC Beams
EAC
  is worked out as area under P-∆ curve and were calculated using the
equation,

Where, A1 = Area under initial crack load ,A2 = Area between initial crack load
and steel yield load and A3 = Area between steel ultimate load and Yield load

Area under load deflection curve in kN- EAC factor V/S steel fiber content
Persentage mm 4
Type of
of steel EAC factor 3.5
tensile steel 3
fibers A1 A2 A3

EAC factor
2.5
2
0.00% 2 of 12mm ϕ 8.395 387.03 711.39 2.79 1.5

0.50% 2 of 12mm ϕ 32.82 293.79 780.69 3.39 1

0.5
1.00% 2 of 12mm ϕ 3.20 354.42 801.30 3.24
0
1.50% 2 of 12mm ϕ 8.39 280.04 614.23 3.12 0% 0% 0% 1% 1% 1% 1% 1% 2%

Persentage of steel fibers

Discussion :
Addition of steel fibers has considerable influence on energy absorption capacity of the RGCC beam. There is substantial
increase in energy absorption capacity by 21.5% at 0.5% steel8fiber content8followed by gradual decreasing trend by
16.13% and 11.83% at 1% and 1.5% steel fiber8content respectively. Hence 0.5% to 1% steel fiber is most effective with
respect to energy absorption capacity of RGCC beams.
 Curvature Ductility (CD) of RGCC Beams
The ductility of the RGPC sections can be expressed by the Discussion :
CD ratio φu/φy,
Addition of steel fibers has considerable effect in
where imparting curvature ductility for RGCC beam. Addition
φu is the curvature at the end of the post elastic range and of 0.5% steel fiber increased curvature ductility by
φy is the curvature at the first yield 2.99% followed by gradual decrease by 1.83% at 1%
steel fiber content. At 1.5% steel fiber content, the
curvature ductility was almost equal to RGCC beam
Percentage of
0% 0.5% 1.0% 1.5% without steel fiber content.
steel fiber

Curvature at CD V/S Persentage steel fiber

first yield φy 0.0161443 0.016127085 0.01624896 0.0164822 9.5

(rad/m) 9

8.5
Curvature at 8

ultimate φu 0.138206 0.14218995 0.141648 0.1410251 7.5

CD
7
(rad/m)
6.5

Curvature 6

5.5
ductility= 8.560 8.816 8.717 8.556
5
φu/φy 0% 1% 2%

Persentage steel fiber

 Conclusion
In the current investigation carried out on RGPC beam with8addition of8steel fibers, it was seen that the steel fibers
have considerable8influence8in enhancing8the8flexural behavior. From the test results, the conclusion is as listed
below

 SCGC8can8be8effectively used8with steel fibers for casting RGPC beams.

 Addition of steel fibers increased the CS of GPC at 0.5% steel fiber8content8at the age of 28 days.
 Addition8of8steel fibers8improved8the split8tensile8strength and8flexural8tensile strength substantially
with8the8increase in steel8fiber8content.
 RGPC beam with80.5% steel fiber content had substantial increase in yield moment, ultimate moment, energy
absorption capacity and curvature ductility. However, there was steep decrease in displacement ductility factor.
 RGCC beam8with 1% steel fiber content had considerable increase in yield moment, ultimate moment, energy
absorption capacity and curvature ductility. However, there was steep increase in displacement ductility factor.
 Hence addition of 1% steel fiber is8found8to be more8effective8in8improving the overall flexural performance
of RGCC beams.
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