Effects of chloride environment on steel fibre reinforced concrete

Abstract

This paper presents and discusses the results of an experimental programme carried out to investigate the behaviour of steel fibre reinforced concrete (SFRC) when it is exposed to aggressive chloride environment by curing it in sodium chloride solutions after 24h of casting. Results indicate that SFRC exhibited a significantly better performance than plain cement concrete in terms of strength. Steel fibres were also effective in restricting the ingress of chlorides when the chloride concentrations were not greater than 38 g/litre,ie, about twice that present in average sea-water. However, steel fibres got corroded during a relatively long chloride exposure.