Effect of Steel Fiber Content on the Electrical, Electrothermal, and Thermal Conductivity Properties of Iron Tailings-Based UHPC

Iron tailings-based ultra-high-performance concrete (UHPC) was developed using iron tailings as aggregates, with steel fiber incorporation ranging from 0% to 2.5%. This study investigates the effects of steel fiber dosage and curing age on the electrical, electrothermal, and thermal conductivity pro...

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Main Authors: Qi Zhen, Yulin Wang, Xiaoyan Zheng, Henggan Li, Xiaotian Lin, Jinhua Wang
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: MDPI AG 2025-06-01
Series:Buildings
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Online Access:https://www.mdpi.com/2075-5309/15/12/2104
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author Qi Zhen
Yulin Wang
Xiaoyan Zheng
Henggan Li
Xiaotian Lin
Jinhua Wang
author_facet Qi Zhen
Yulin Wang
Xiaoyan Zheng
Henggan Li
Xiaotian Lin
Jinhua Wang
author_sort Qi Zhen
collection DOAJ
description Iron tailings-based ultra-high-performance concrete (UHPC) was developed using iron tailings as aggregates, with steel fiber incorporation ranging from 0% to 2.5%. This study investigates the effects of steel fiber dosage and curing age on the electrical, electrothermal, and thermal conductivity properties of iron tailings-based UHPC. A comprehensive evaluation protocol was implemented to quantify resistivity, electrothermal conversion efficiency, and heat transfer characteristics, providing a systematic understanding of the material’s multifunctional properties. Results demonstrate that steel fiber incorporation significantly reduces electrical resistivity, achieving optimal conductivity at 1.5% fiber content. Electrothermal analysis under a 60 V applied voltage revealed maximum heating efficiency (ΔT = 32.5 °C/30 min for UHPC cured for 7 days and ΔT = 8.0 °C/30 min for UHPC cured for 28 days) at 1.5% fiber content. Thermal conductivity measurements identified a non-monotonic relationship with steel fiber content, initially increasing and then decreasing, with maximum thermal conductivity observed at 1.5% fiber content. This trend aligns with the observed resistivity behavior, suggesting a strong correlation between electrical and thermal properties. Fiber distribution within the iron tailings-based UHPC matrix revealed that steel fiber dispersion significantly affects material properties, with 1.5% fiber content achieving optimal percolation network formation for electrical current flow and heat transfer.
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institution Kabale University
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publishDate 2025-06-01
publisher MDPI AG
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series Buildings
spelling doaj-art-2c50001a95cc45c2bf4abd1de8d893a72025-08-20T03:27:29ZengMDPI AGBuildings2075-53092025-06-011512210410.3390/buildings15122104Effect of Steel Fiber Content on the Electrical, Electrothermal, and Thermal Conductivity Properties of Iron Tailings-Based UHPCQi Zhen0Yulin Wang1Xiaoyan Zheng2Henggan Li3Xiaotian Lin4Jinhua Wang5College of Civil Engineering and Architecture, Wuyi University, Wuyishan 354300, ChinaCollege of Civil Engineering and Architecture, Wuyi University, Wuyishan 354300, ChinaCollege of Transpiration and Civil Engineering, Fujian Agriculture and Forestry University, Fuzhou 350108, ChinaCollege of Civil Engineering and Architecture, Wuyi University, Wuyishan 354300, ChinaCollege of Civil Engineering and Architecture, Wuyi University, Wuyishan 354300, ChinaCollege of Civil Engineering and Architecture, Wuyi University, Wuyishan 354300, ChinaIron tailings-based ultra-high-performance concrete (UHPC) was developed using iron tailings as aggregates, with steel fiber incorporation ranging from 0% to 2.5%. This study investigates the effects of steel fiber dosage and curing age on the electrical, electrothermal, and thermal conductivity properties of iron tailings-based UHPC. A comprehensive evaluation protocol was implemented to quantify resistivity, electrothermal conversion efficiency, and heat transfer characteristics, providing a systematic understanding of the material’s multifunctional properties. Results demonstrate that steel fiber incorporation significantly reduces electrical resistivity, achieving optimal conductivity at 1.5% fiber content. Electrothermal analysis under a 60 V applied voltage revealed maximum heating efficiency (ΔT = 32.5 °C/30 min for UHPC cured for 7 days and ΔT = 8.0 °C/30 min for UHPC cured for 28 days) at 1.5% fiber content. Thermal conductivity measurements identified a non-monotonic relationship with steel fiber content, initially increasing and then decreasing, with maximum thermal conductivity observed at 1.5% fiber content. This trend aligns with the observed resistivity behavior, suggesting a strong correlation between electrical and thermal properties. Fiber distribution within the iron tailings-based UHPC matrix revealed that steel fiber dispersion significantly affects material properties, with 1.5% fiber content achieving optimal percolation network formation for electrical current flow and heat transfer.https://www.mdpi.com/2075-5309/15/12/2104iron tailingsultra-high-performance concrete (UHPC)steel fiberselectrothermal propertiesthermal conductivityelectrical resistivity
spellingShingle Qi Zhen
Yulin Wang
Xiaoyan Zheng
Henggan Li
Xiaotian Lin
Jinhua Wang
Effect of Steel Fiber Content on the Electrical, Electrothermal, and Thermal Conductivity Properties of Iron Tailings-Based UHPC
Buildings
iron tailings
ultra-high-performance concrete (UHPC)
steel fibers
electrothermal properties
thermal conductivity
electrical resistivity
title Effect of Steel Fiber Content on the Electrical, Electrothermal, and Thermal Conductivity Properties of Iron Tailings-Based UHPC
title_full Effect of Steel Fiber Content on the Electrical, Electrothermal, and Thermal Conductivity Properties of Iron Tailings-Based UHPC
title_fullStr Effect of Steel Fiber Content on the Electrical, Electrothermal, and Thermal Conductivity Properties of Iron Tailings-Based UHPC
title_full_unstemmed Effect of Steel Fiber Content on the Electrical, Electrothermal, and Thermal Conductivity Properties of Iron Tailings-Based UHPC
title_short Effect of Steel Fiber Content on the Electrical, Electrothermal, and Thermal Conductivity Properties of Iron Tailings-Based UHPC
title_sort effect of steel fiber content on the electrical electrothermal and thermal conductivity properties of iron tailings based uhpc
topic iron tailings
ultra-high-performance concrete (UHPC)
steel fibers
electrothermal properties
thermal conductivity
electrical resistivity
url https://www.mdpi.com/2075-5309/15/12/2104
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AT hengganli effectofsteelfibercontentontheelectricalelectrothermalandthermalconductivitypropertiesofirontailingsbaseduhpc
AT xiaotianlin effectofsteelfibercontentontheelectricalelectrothermalandthermalconductivitypropertiesofirontailingsbaseduhpc
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