Size effect on strength of Fiber-Reinforced Self-Compacting Concrete (SCC) after exposure to high temperatures

Abstract

This pioneer study investigates the size effect on the compressive and tensile strengths of fiber-reinforced self-compacting concrete (FR-SCC) with different specimens, before and after exposure to elevated temperatures. 432 self-compacting concrete (SCC) specimens with two concrete grades (50 and 80 MPa) and three steel fiber ratios (0%, 0.5% and 1%) were prepared and tested. Moreover, based on the experimental results, new formulations were proposed to predict the residual strengths for different specimens. A parametric study was also carried out to investigate the accuracy of proposed formulations. Residual strength results showed that the cylinder specimen with dimensions of 100x200 mm was the most affected, while the cube with a size of 100 mm maintained a constant difference with the standard cylinder (150x300 mm). Temperature effect on the cube specimen (150 mm) was the least in comparison to other specimen sizes and types. In general, provision of steel fibers in SCC mixtures resulted in a reduction in temperature effect on the variance of a conversion factor. Parametric study results confirm that the proposed numerical models are safe to be used for all types of SCC specimens.