To improve the structural application of steel fiber-reinforced concrete with recycled aggregates (SFRC-RA) composited in gradation by large-particle natural coarse aggregate and small-particle recycled coarse aggregate, the large eccentric compression behavior of eight SFRC-RA columns was experimentally investigated in this paper. The main parameters considered were the strength of the SFRC-RA and the volume fraction of the steel fiber. Details about the sectional concrete strain, the longitudinal steel bar strain, the lateral displacement, the cracking load, the crack distribution and crack width, and the ultimate load of the SFRC-RA columns were measured. The beneficial effects of steel fiber on these attributes were discussed, and the ductility corresponding to the lateral displacement of the SFRC-RA columns was also analyzed. Based on the test results and design principles, formulas were proposed for predicting the cracking resistance, crack width, and lateral displacement of SFRC-RA columns in a normal service state. The ultimate loads of the SFRC-RA columns under a large eccentric compression load were calculated, considering the second-order effects.

To promote the engineering application of recycled aggregate for concrete production with good adaptability and economic efficiency, this paper performed a campaign to investigate the flexural performance of steel fiber reinforced composite-recycled aggregate concrete (SFR-CRAC) beams matched with 500 MPa longitudinal rebars. The composite-recycled aggregate has features of the full use recycled fine aggregate and small particle recycled coarse aggregate, and the continuous grading of coarse aggregate ensured by admixing the large particle natural aggregate about 35% to 45% in mass of total coarse aggregate. The properties of SFR-CRAC have been comprehensively improved by using steel fibers. With a varying volume fraction of steel fiber from 0% to 2.0%, 10 beam specimens were produced. The flexural behaviors of the beams during the complete loading procedure were experimentally studied under a four-point bending test. Of which the concrete strain at mid-span section, the appearance of cracks, the crack distribution and crack width, the mid-span deflection, the tensile strain of longitudinal rebars, and the failure patterns of the beams were measured in detail. Results indicated that the assumption of plane cross-section held true approximately, the 500 MPa longitudinal rebars worked at a high stress level within the limit width of cracks on reinforced SFR-CRAC beams at the normal serviceability, and the typical failure occurred with the yield of 500 MPa longitudinal rebars followed by the crushed SFR-CRAC in compression. The cracking resistance, the flexural capacity, and the flexural ductility of the beams increased with the volume fraction of steel fiber, while the crack width and mid-span deflection obviously decreased. Finally, by linking to those for conventional reinforced concrete beams, formulas are suggested for predicting the cracking moment, crack width, and flexural stiffness at normal serviceability, and the ultimate moment at bearing capacity of reinforced SFR-CRAC beams.

Due to the mechanical properties related closely to the distribution of steel fibers in concrete matrix, the assessment of tensile strength of self-compacting steel fiber reinforced concrete (SFRC) is significant for the engineering application. In this paper, seven groups of self-compacting SFRC were produced with the mix proportion designed by using the steel fiber-aggregates skeleton packing test method. The hooked-end steel fibers with length of 25.1 mm, 29.8 mm and 34.8 mm were used, and the volume fraction varied from 0.4% to 1.4%. The axial tensile test of notched sectional prism specimen and the splitting tensile test of cube specimen were carried out. Results show that the axial tensile strength was higher than the splitting tensile strength for the same self-compacting SFRC, the axial tensile work and toughness was not related to the length of steel fiber. Finally, the equations for the prediction of tensile strength of self-compacting SFRC are proposed considering the fiber distribution and fiber factor, and the adaptability of splitting tensile test for self-compacting SFRC is discussed.

Reliable bond of steel fiber in concrete is a key problem relating to the reinforcing effect of steel fiber on concrete matrix and for the guide in significance for the optimal design of the geometry and mechanical properties of steel fiber. In this paper, on the basis of multi-indices of evaluation for the bond properties of single hooked-end steel fiber, the indices for the evaluation of synergistic bond properties of different deformed steel fibers are proposed. The pull-out tests were carried out for different deformed steel fibers embedded in mortar wet-sieved from self-compacting SFRC with manufactured sand. Fourteen types of steel fibers were used, including six hooked-end, two crimped, four indentation, one milling, and one large-end. The bond strength, bond energy, and bond toughness of single and per unit weight steel fiber were evaluated with the correspondence to the loading status of cracking resistance, normal serviceability, and ultimate bearing capacity of concrete. Results show that the deformed steel fibers presented different bond behaviors, hooked-end, and crimped steel fibers with circular cross-sections and a tensile strength of higher than 1150 MPa have excellent effects of strengthening, energy dissipation, and toughening capacity on self-compacting concrete with a cubic compressive strength of 60 MPa at normal serviceability and ultimate bearing capacity. Indentation, milling, and large-end steel fibers are more suitable for reinforcing the concrete strength due to the rigid bond before concrete cracking. The synergistic working of steel fibers with concrete matrix should be concerned to realize the effects of only or simultaneously reinforcing the strength and toughness of concrete.

To ensure a limited washout loss rate and the self-compaction of underwater concrete, the mix proportion design of underwater non-dispersible concrete is a key technology that has not been completely mastered. In view of this aspect, an orthogonal test study was carried out in this paper on the workability, washout resistance, and compressive strength of underwater non-dispersible concrete. Six factors with five levels were considered, which included the water/binder ratio, the sand ratio, the maximum particle size of the coarse aggregate, the content of the dispersion resistance agent, the content of superplasticizer, and the dosage of fly ash. Using a range and variance analysis, the sensitivity and significance of these factors were analyzed on the slump and slump-flow, the flow time, the washout loss rate, the pH value, and the compressive strength at the curing ages of 7 days and 28 days. The results indicated that the water/binder ratio and the content of the dispersion resistance agent were strong in terms of their sensitivity and significance on the workability and washout resistance, and the water/binder ratio and the dosage of fly ash were strong in terms of their sensitivity and significance on the compressive strength. With the joint fitness of the test results, formulas for predicting the slump-flow, washout loss rate, and compressive strength of underwater non-dispersible concrete were proposed considering the main impact factors.