| Abstract: |
This empirical investigation examines the influence of steel fiber chips on the mechanical strength properties of M-25, M-30, and M-35 grades of concrete. Steel fiber chips, being industrial by-products with high tensile resistance, are incorporated into concrete matrices at varying dosage levels of 0%, 2%, 4%, 6%, and 9% by weight of cement, and the resulting specimens are evaluated for compressive strength, split tensile strength, flexural strength, and workability at curing ages of 7, 14, and 28 days. The mix design adheres to IS 10262:2019 guidelines and all tests are performed as per relevant Bureau of Indian Standards (BIS) codes. A total of 135 specimens across three grades are cast and tested under controlled laboratory conditions. Experimental results reveal a progressive and statistically significant improvement in all three strength parameters as the percentage of steel fiber chip increases from 0% to 6%, beyond which marginal gains are observed for certain grades. The maximum compressive strength enhancement of approximately 38%, 36%, and 32% over control mixes is recorded for M-25, M-30, and M-35 grades respectively, at 28 days with 6% fiber content. Split tensile and flexural strength follow analogous upward trends, confirming the crack-arresting and energy-absorbing mechanisms of steel fiber chips. Workability, measured by slump, decreases inversely with fiber content addition. These findings collectively substantiate that steel fiber chip reinforcement is a cost-effective, sustainable, and technically viable strategy for enhancing concrete performance across multiple grade classifications, providing meaningful design implications for structural engineers in the construction industry. |
