A Study of the Effect of Steel Fibers Prepared From Cables on the Mechanical Properties of Concrete

Abstract

Fibers of various types (steel, carbon, glass, polymeric, etc.) are used to improve the mechanical properties of concrete, particularly in terms of its tensile strength, toughness, and ability to reduce crack formation and propagation. Steel fibers are among the most commonly used materials in this field due to their ability to enhance the ductility and stiffness of concrete, in addition to improving its resistance to high temperatures. In this study, recycled steel fibers were obtained from crane cables, which were cut into predetermined lengths. A series of physical and mechanical tests were conducted to verify that the fibers met the requirements specified by relevant international standards and codes. Three different concrete mixes were prepared: one without fibers, one with V_f = 0.5% steel fibers by volume, and one with V_f = 0.75% steel fibers by volume. Cylindrical samples were tested for compressive strength, while reinforced concrete beams were subjected to four-point bending tests. The results showed that the use of steel fibers led to a significant improvement in compressive strength by up to12.6%, and an increase in deflection at failure by up to 17.8% (at V_f =0.75%), indicating an enhancement in the deformability and toughness of the concrete. These results demonstrate the feasibility of using recycled steel fibers from used decommissioned crane cables in engineering applications.