Properties of fiber reinforced high-strength semilightweight concrete

This study of the behavior of fiber reinforced high strength semilightweight concrete investigated the workability, behavior under compression, splitting tension, flexure, and shear. Silica fume and high-range water-reducing admixtures were used to obtain the high strength. The lightweight aggregate used was made of expanded shale. The primary independent variables were fiber content and fiber length. Study results showed that the silica fume can be successfully used to obtain high strength. The brittleness of silica fume concrete can be overcome by using fibers. The addition of fibers provides a significant increase in young's modulus. splitting tensile strength, and shear strength. Strength increase is also considerable under flexure. In all cases, fibers provide substantial improvement in ductility.