Steelfibers

Steelfibers are short, discrete lengths of steel used as reinforcement in concrete and other construction materials. They are typically manufactured from high-carbon steel wire through a process of cold drawing, cutting, and sometimes deforming to enhance anchorage. The primary purpose of steelfibers is to improve the mechanical properties of the composite material, particularly its tensile strength, flexural strength, toughness, and resistance to cracking.

The application of steelfibers in concrete, often referred to as steel fiber reinforced concrete (SFRC), offers several advantages over traditional steel reinforcement. These include increased ductility, improved impact resistance, and enhanced durability. SFRC can exhibit significantly higher post-cracking load-bearing capacity, leading to thinner structural elements and more efficient designs. Steelfibers are commonly used in applications such as industrial floors, bridge decks, tunnel linings, precast concrete elements, and seismic-resistant structures.

The performance of steelfibers in concrete is influenced by various factors, including the fiber geometry (length, diameter, aspect ratio), the type of steel used, the fiber dosage, and the concrete mix design. Different fiber shapes, such as hooked-end, crimped, or deformed fibers, are employed to optimize mechanical anchorage within the concrete matrix. The dosage of steelfibers, usually expressed as a percentage of the concrete volume or weight, is a critical parameter that dictates the extent of reinforcement. Proper mixing procedures are essential to ensure uniform dispersion of the fibers throughout the concrete to achieve the desired performance enhancements.