Strength Behavior of Cement Mortar Reinforced with Steel Fibers at Elevated Temperature

Abstract

The aim of this experimental study is to investigate the effect of steel fibers on the compressive strength of cement mortar at elevated temperature. 168 nos. of cubic cement mortar blocks (25 mm  25 mm) were prepared with and without steel fibers. The blocks were crushed at different elevated temperatures ranging from 250-650 C after curing of 3 and 7 days. The effects of cooling time on the compressive strength were also studied. The test results indicate that the temperature, cooling time and percentage of steel fibers affect the compressive strength of cement mortar significantly. Compressive strength increases with the increase of temperature up to 450 C and beyond that, it gradually decreases. Mortar with 4% of steel fibers at 450 C depicts the highest compressive strength regardless of the cooling time. It is also observed that the compressive strength of cement mortar increases with the increase of cooling time.