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International Conference on Mechanical, Materials and Renewable Energy IOP Publishing
IOP Conf. Series: Materials Science and Engineering 377 (2018) 012117 doi:10.1088/1757-899X/377/1/012117
1234567890‘’“”

Fibre-reinforced Self-Compacting Concrete: A

Review
Subhan Ahmad1* and Arshad Umar2
1
Department of Civil Engineering, Indian Institute of Technology, Roorkee, 247667,
India
2
Department of Civil Engineering, Aligarh Muslim University, Aligarh, 202002, India
*Corresponding author: E-mail- [email protected]

Abstract. Fibre-reinforced self-compacting concrete (FRSCC) is a new building material that

combines positive characteristics of workability of self-compacting concrete (SCC) with
enhanced characteristics of hardened concrete due to fibre addition. In literature, metallic and
synthetic fibres are used as the SCC reinforcement. From the literature it may be established
that workability properties of SCC are more adversely affected by the use of metallic fibres.
Also, metallic fibres are more effective than synthetic fibres in increasing the mechanical
properties of SCC.
1. Introduction
Self-compacting concrete (SCC) is a relatively new building material which is able to flow under its
own weight, totally filling the formwork, however maintaining homogeneity even in the existence of
congested reinforcement, and then consolidating without compaction. Time required for construction
is shorter and production of SCC is without noise and vibrations. Also, SCC yields a good surface
finish and gives better freedom in design. Filling ability, passing ability and segregation resistance are
the important properties of SCC which are attained by increasing the amount of fines (i.e. particles
<0.125 mm), reducing water-powder ratio and using a superplasticizer [1,2]. With increase in content
of fines, paste volume in SCC is increased, thus resulting in high shrinkage and creep. To reduce the
paste content sometimes a stabilizer (viscosity modifying admixture) is used to improve the
segregation resistance of SCC [3]. Fibre-reinforced self-compacting concrete (FRSCC) is a new
building material that merges the advantages of the SCC with the positive effects of the fibre addition
to a brittle material (concrete). It is a ductile material that in its fresh state runs into the interior of
formwork, filling it in a natural way, passing through the obstacles, and consolidating under the action
of its own weight. FRSCC can diminish two opposing weaknesses: cracking resistance in plain
concrete and poor workability in fibre-reinforced concrete (FRC). FRSCC has found vast application
in the construction of tunnel lining and railway sleepers. Another application of FRSCC is in the repair
of highway and airfield pavements.
In this paper the consequences of different types of fibres on the workability and mechanical
properties of SCC are presented. For this purpose one important research paper from each year is
selected and the summary is presented.
2. Literature Review
2.1 Sahmaran et al. (2005) used straight and hooked-end steel fibres and performed tests in fresh and
hardened states. They found that it is possible to attain self-compaction with 60 kg/m3 of fibre content.
In order to maintain satisfactory workability in SCC reinforced with steel fibres, the volume of paste
in the mix must be increased to yield better fibre dispersion. SCC reinforced with straight steel fibres
had the highest compressive strength values, whereas SCC containing equal amounts of hooked-end
and straight steel fibres gave the maximum splitting tensile strength value.
2.2 Cunha et al. (2006) investigated the influence of steel fibres content and concrete age on
compressive behaviour of SCC. Compressive strength and modulus of elasticity increased with age but
was found to be decreased when the quantity of steel fibres was increased from 30 kg/m3 to 45 kg/m3.
Strain at peak stress decreased with age for both the fibre content. The energy dissipated under
compression, increased with age but remain unchanged when fibres were increased from 30 kg/m3 to
45 kg/m3.
2.3 Sahmaran and Yaman (2007) investigated fresh and hardened properties of FRSCC incorporating
high-volume fly ash (HVFA), not meeting the fineness requirements of ASTM C 618. Combination of

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International Conference on Mechanical, Materials and Renewable Energy IOP Publishing
IOP Conf. Series: Materials Science and Engineering 377 (2018) 012117 doi:10.1088/1757-899X/377/1/012117
1234567890‘’“”

hooked-end and straight steel fibres were used, keeping constant total fibre content (60 kg/m3). It was
observed that using HVFA reduced the amount of water required for SCC mixture. Use of small size
straight steel fibres reduced the decrease in compressive strength of SCC due to small pozzolanic
activity of the HVFA. Longer fibres with hooked ends were found to be more effective in increasing
the splitting tensile strength of SCC with HVFA.
2.4 Kou and Poon (2008) studied the effect of recycled glass (RG) cullet on workability and
mechanical properties of SCC. River sand and 10 mm granite was replaced by RG cullet. It was found
that increasing RG content in SCC results an increase in slump flow, blocking ratio and air content.
Compressive strength, static elastic modulus and splitting tensile strength were reduced as the RG
content in SCC was increased. A relation between elastic modulus and compressive strength was
derived from the experimental results (shown in Fig.1). Moreover, increasing RG content in SCC
mixes enhanced the resistance to chloride ion penetration and reduced its drying shrinkage.

Figure 1. Relationship between elastic modulus and compressive strength

given by Kou and Poon

2.5 Prasad et al. (2009) found that addition of glass fibres in SCC marginally increased its
compressive strength. Splitting tensile strength was found to be increased significantly after the
addition of glass fibres. The ultimate compressive strength and peak strain of GFRSCC was found to
be varying linearly with Fibre index (Fi).
Ultimate compressive strength 𝑓𝑢 = 𝑓’ (1 + 0.1074 𝐹𝑖 )
Peak strain 𝜀𝑢 = 𝜀’ (1 + 0.107 𝐹𝑖 ), where f’ and ε’ are the ultimate compressive strength and peak
strain of SCC without fibres. Ductility was found to be increased as the quantity of glass fibres were
increased.
2.6 Ackay and Tasdemir (2011) investigated workability, mechanical behaviour and fracture properties
of hybrid steel fibre reinforced self-compacting concretes (HSFRSCCs). Three different kinds of steel
fibres with and without hooked-ends were mixed in the mixtures in two different volume fractions
(0.75% and 1.5% of the total volume of concrete). Experiments revealed that workability of SCC was
decreased slightly after the addition of fibres and the main factor influencing the workability and
flowability is the shape of long fibres rather than their strength. The flowability was found to be
decreased with fibre addition, while no substantial variation in the final flowability was noticed for
fibre contents explicitly used in the study. It is clear from Fig.2 that the improvement in fracture
energy and ductility was found to be more in high strength long steel fibres concrete than the normal

2
International Conference on Mechanical, Materials and Renewable Energy IOP Publishing
IOP Conf. Series: Materials Science and Engineering 377 (2018) 012117 doi:10.1088/1757-899X/377/1/012117
1234567890‘’“”

strength steel fibre concretes. Normal strength long fibre concretes exhibited a slipping out of fibre
type of fracture, whereas fracture of fibre was the governing failure type for other concretes.

 C1.5H- SCC with 1.5%

of high strength steel
fibres
 C1.5N- SCC with 1.5%
of normal strength steel
fibres
 C0.75H- SCC with
0.75% of high strength
steel fibres
 C0.75N- SCC with
0.75% of normal strength
steel fibres
 REF- SCC without fibres
Figure 2. Load-displacement curves obtained by Ackay and
Tasdemir for different mixes

2.7 Mehdipour et al. (2013) investigated the effect of glass fibre on the workability, mechanical
properties and free shrinkage of FRSCC. They concluded that increasing the fibre factor, effect of
fibre addition on time of flow is more dominant than slump flow. They also found that by increasing
the fibre factor, shrinkage is significantly decreased. The effect of fibres is insignificant and they are
not able to bridge cracks during loading and transfer the load when the fibre factor is less than the
critical fibre factor. FRSCC mixture was still workable enough to flow under its own weight and better
fibre distribution and bridging efficiency was found when fibre factor was kept between the critical
and dense volume. It is clearly shown in Fig.3 that when fibre factor was increased above dense fibre
factor (Fd), fibres formed clusters at the centre of the flow spread due to the fibre balling, leading to
non-uniform dispersion of fibres leading to poor mechanical properties.

Figure 3 (a) Fibre balling for the fibre factor > Fd Figure 3 (b) Non-uniform dispersion of fibres for
the fibre factor > Fd

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International Conference on Mechanical, Materials and Renewable Energy IOP Publishing
IOP Conf. Series: Materials Science and Engineering 377 (2018) 012117 doi:10.1088/1757-899X/377/1/012117
1234567890‘’“”

2.8 Aslani and Samali (2014) performed experiments on SCC with steel, polypropylene (PP) and
hybrid fibres. They found that average compressive strength of hybrid FRSCC was more than SCC
with steel and PP fibres. Average modulus of rupture (MOR) for SCC reinforced with steel fibres was
found to be more than that of SCC with PP and hybrid fibres. The also concluded that compressive
strength and MOR properties of FRSCC are decreased with time.
2.9 Iqbal et al. (2015) produced high strength lightweight (1700 kg/m3) self-compacting concrete
(HSLSCC) reinforced with high content of steel fibres (up to 125 kg/m3). They found that HSLSCC is
less sensitive to same amount of micro steel fibres addition to concrete in the lower range (up to
0.75%) compared to the higher range (above 1%). Adding short steel fibres to concrete substantially
improved the flexural and tensile strength of concrete and produced strain hardening material. It was
also found that there is no negative influence of micro steel fibres on compressive strength and elastic
modulus of HSLSCC, therefore it might be concluded that benefits of steel fibres on modulus of
rupture and toughness may be used without negotiating on its compressive strength or elastic modulus.
2.10 Umar et al. (2016) added equal amount of glass and polyvinyl alcohol (PVA) fibres in SCC and
tested the mixtures for fresh and hardened properties. They found that the addition of PVA fibres in
SCC affects the workability properties more adversely then glass fibres. Addition of glass and PVA
fibres does not affect the compressive strength and modulus of elasticity of SCC. Splitting tensile
strength and modulus of rupture was increased significantly after the addition of fibres and this
increase was more pronounced for PVA fibres.
2.11 Ahmad et al. (2017) studied the hardened properties of normal concrete, SCC and glass fibre
reinforced SCC (GFSCC). Compressive and splitting tensile strength of SCC was found to be more
than the corresponding properties of normal concrete. Whereas, modulus of rupture and modulus of
elasticity of SCC was found to be lower than the corresponding properties of normal concrete. They
also found that the addition of glass fibres increased compressive strength and modulus of elasticity
marginally but increased splitting tensile strength and modulus of rupture by considerable amount.
3. Conclusions
In the last decade researchers have incorporated steel (straight and hooked end), glass, polypropylene
and polyvinyl alcohol fibres to improve the mechanical properties of self-compacting concrete. Steel
(metallic) fibres reduced the workability properties of SCC more than glass, polypropylene and
polyvinyl alcohol (synthetic) fibres. It was observed that small size straight steel fibres are more
effective in increasing the compressive strength whereas long fibres with hooked end are more
effective in increasing the splitting tensile strength of SCC. Glass, polypropylene and polyvinyl
alcohol fibres have very low or no effect on the compressive strength and modulus of elasticity but
had significant role in increasing the splitting tensile strength and modulus of rupture of SCC. There is
still a lot of research to be done on the use of fibres to improve the SCC performance.

4. References
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National Associations Representing producers and applicators of specialist 30 building products for
Concrete (EFNARC). 2005;32:31.
[2] Mehta PK. Concrete. Structure, properties and materials.1986
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concrete. Building and Environment. 2005 Dec 31;40(12):1672-7.
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International Conference on Mechanical, Materials and Renewable Energy IOP Publishing
IOP Conf. Series: Materials Science and Engineering 377 (2018) 012117 doi:10.1088/1757-899X/377/1/012117
1234567890‘’“”

[8] Prasad ML, Kumar PR, Oshima T. Development of analytical stress-strain model for glass fiber
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