Investigation of Impact Resistance of High-Strength Portland Cement Concrete Containing Steel Fibers

Impact resistance of Portland cement concrete (PCC) is an essential property in various applications of PCC, such as industrial floors, hydraulic structures, and explosion-proof structures. Steel-fiber-fortified high-strength concrete testing was completed using a drop-weight impact assessment for impact strength. One mix was used to manufacture 320 concrete disc specimens cured in both humid and dry conditions. In addition, 30 cubic and 30 cylindrical specimens were used to evaluate the compressive and indirect tensile strengths. Steel fibers with hooked ends of lengths of 20, 30, and 50 mm were used in the concrete mixtures. Data on material strength were collected from impact testing, including the number of post-first-crack blows (INPBs), first-crack strength, and failure strength. Findings from the results concluded that all the steel fibers improved the mechanical properties of concrete. However, hooked steel fibers were more effective than crimped steel fibers in increasing impact strength, even with a smaller length-to-diameter ratio. Concrete samples containing hybrid fibers (hooked + crimped) also had lower compressive strength than the other fibers. Comparisons and analogies drawn between the test results and the static analyses (Kolmogorov–Smirnov and Kruskal–Wallis) show that the p-value of the analyses indicates a more normal distribution for curing in a humid environment. A significant difference was also observed between the energy absorptions of the reinforced mixtures into steel fibers.