Abstract
Fiber-reinforced concrete (FRC) has been used for repair of abrasion-erosion damaged areas such as stilling basins, conduits, sluiceways, and discharge laterals in hydraulic structures. However, the resistance of such concrete subjected to abrasive action of waterborne particles has not previously been evaluated.
A recent laboratory study on the abrasion-erosion resistance of FRC is presented in this paper. Thirteen concrete mixtures of three watercement ratios ranging from 0.40 to 0.72, each containing one of four different types of steel fibers, were tested. As is true of concrete without steel fibers, the abrasion-erosion resistance of FRC increased with a decrease in water-cement ratio and consequent increase in compressive strength. The lengths of the fibers had very little effect on the abrasionerosion resistance, and the FRC containing collated and hooked fibers had better abrasion-erosion resistance than the comparable concrete containing straight fibers.
A comparison of the performance of FRC and concrete not containing fibers clearly showed that FRC was less resistant to abrasionerosion than concrete of the same aggregate type and water-cement ratio without fibers. The abrasion-erosion losses of the FRC were consistently higher than that of the concrete not containing fibers over wide ranges of water-cement ratio and, hence, compressive strength.
Based on the results of laboratory tests and field performance experience, fiber-reinforced concrete is not recommended for use in new construction or repair of hydraulic structures in which abrasion-erosion is of major concern.
