Per: Fabrício cota vasconcellos (Universidade Federal de Viçosa), Gustavo Emilio Soares de Lima (UNIVERSIDADE FEDERAL DE VIÇOSA), Beatryz Cardoso Mendes (Universidade Federal de Viçosa), Leonardo Gonçalves Pedroti (Universidade Federal de Viçosa)
Abstract:
Concrete is the most used material in civil construction. To meet certain requirements, several studies were carried out to improve this material. Thus, high-performance concrete emerged, with a special emphasis on Reactive Powder Concrete (RPC). RPC is a composite material consisting only of materials of low particle size and, in some cases, fibers are inserted to improve its performance. In light of this context, this work aims to evaluate the influence of the steel fiber content on the mechanical properties of RPC. The experiment consisted of producing four mixtures of RPC from the same mix, one without the addition of steel fibers and the other three changing the dosage of steel fibers over the cement mass. The molded specimens were stored in a curing tank, where they remained until the age of the tests. The 3-point flexion and compressive strength tests were performed at the ages of 1, 3 and 7 days. It was observed that 10% content of steel fibers showed the best strength gains, either in tensile, flexion or compression. In addition, there was a significant improvement in the ductility of the composite, from fragile rupture to a ductile rupture, due to the presence of steel fibers.