Strength and ductility of fiber-reinforced high-strength concrete columns

In this study 21 high-strength, fiber-reinforced columns were tested consisting of 9 155-mm square columns and 12 200-mm square columns. The concrete mix contained 2% (by weight) of end hooked steel fibers and with concrete strengths ranging from 67 to 88 MPa. The columns were tested in either concentric or eccentric compression with varying initial loading eccentricities. The study showed that the introduction of steel fibers into the mix design arrested the early spalling of the cover and increased the load capacity as well as the ductility of the columns over that of comparable nonfiber-reinforced specimens.