Abstract:
The main objective of this research is to study the parameters influencing the bending strength,
compressive strength and behavior of concrete members reinforced with hooked steel fibers. The hooked
steel fibers used in this study were obtained by deforming two plastic hinges at both ends. The size of the bending
specimens was 10 cm x 10 cm x 35 cm and they were tested by four-points bending with a span length of 30 cm,
and the size of the compressive specimens was 10 cm in diameter and 20 cm in height. Both tests were conducted
according to ASTM standard. Parameters investigated and presented in this paper were: (1) compressive strength
of concrete (34, 49 and 70 MPa); (2) four different sizes of course aggregate; (3) amount of hooked steel fibers
(35, 70 and 105 kg/m3); (4) different sizes of steel fibers; and (5) tensile strength of hooked steel fibers
(1100 and 2000 MPa). It was found from the study that an increase in compressive strength of concrete,
amount of fibers, fiber aspect ratio and tensile strength of fibers increases the mechanical strength and
improves the behavior in bending of FRC composites. The use of smaller size of course aggregate, in general,
gave better performance in bending and compression than that of larger size of course aggregate. However,
the improved performance in term of strength and behavior of composites could be developed from a proper
combination of these parameters.