The compressive behavior of steel-fiber-reinforced-concrete (SFRC) is dependent on the loading rate. This research investigates, experimentally and analytically, the effect of loading rate on the compressive behavior of SFRC designed to be used in prefabricated urban protective furniture. For this purpose, cylinder SFRC specimens were subjected to modified instrumented-drop-weight-impact tests at four dropping heights and quasi-static tests with four different strain rates. The inertia force was analytically obtained and also experimentally measured. The results demonstrate that by increasing the strain rate, elastic modulus, compressive strength, and energy dissipation capacity have increased. Three different models were proposed for predicting each mechanical characteristic, one in the range of quasi-static and the others in the range of impact corresponding to the split Hopkinson pressure bar and drop-weight-impact tests. The experimental dynamic to static ratios obtained for SFRC properties were discussed and compared with those proposed by present study and from other researchers. Three proposed models significantly improve the prediction the dynamic increase factor values in terms of compressive strength, modulus of elasticity and toughness.
This study examines the synergistic influence of recycled concrete aggregates (RCAs), industrial steel fibers (ISFs), recycled steel fibers (RSFs), and hybrid ISF/RSF (HSF) on the structural, durability, and environmental performance of roller-compacted concrete pavement (RCCP). Twenty mixtures were prepared with 0 and 50% RCA and fiber dosages of 0–0.9%, including plain, single-fiber, and HSF systems. Compressive, splitting tensile, and flexural strengths, as well as freeze–thaw resistance up to 300 cycles, were experimentally evaluated. Environmental performance was quantified through a cradle-to-gate life cycle assessment (LCA) covering nine impact categories and integrated with a multi-criteria decision analysis (MCDA) using the weighted sum method (WSM) and technique for order of preference by similarity to ideal solution (TOPSIS). Results indicate that 50% RCA replacement reduced compressive strength by ~21% but decreased global warming potential (GWP) by 15%. Hybrid fiber reinforcement significantly improved mechanical and durability properties, achieving up to 51% higher tensile strength and >85% strength retention after 300 freeze–thaw cycles compared with the control mix. The LCA showed notable reductions in GWP, acidification potential, and non-renewable energy demand when ISF and natural aggregates were partially substituted with RSF and RCA. The MCDA identified N50_R50_ISF0.3_RSF0.3 (50% RCA with 0.6% HSF) as the optimal mixture, achieving the highest eco-efficiency index (WSM = 0.80; TOPSIS = 0.73). These findings confirm that integrating RCA with hybrid steel fibers enhances the mechanical and durability performance of RCCP while substantially reducing environmental burdens, providing a viable strategy for low-carbon and circular pavement construction.
This study investigates the combined use of recycled concrete aggregate (RCA) and steel fibers—industrial (ISF), recycled (RSF), and hybrid ISF/RSF (HSF)—to enhance the mechanical performance, freeze–thaw durability, and environmental efficiency of roller-compacted concrete pavement (RCCP). Twenty mixtures incorporating two RCA levels (0% and 25%) and different fiber systems were tested. The results showed that, although RCA slightly reduced strength, hybrid fibers effectively compensated for this loss, improving toughness, tensile capacity, and resistance to freeze–thaw degradation. A life-cycle assessment demonstrated that substituting natural aggregates and industrial fibers with RCA and RSF lowers the embodied carbon and energy demand. A multi-criteria decision analysis identified mixtures with 25% RCA and hybrid fibers (0.9% HSF) as the most balanced solutions, combining an improved performance with a reduced environmental burden. The findings highlight hybrid fiber-reinforced, RCA-based RCCP as a practical and eco-efficient option for sustainable pavement infrastructure.
30 August 2023 in International Journal of Impact Engineering