Influence mechanism of sulfate freeze-thaw cyclic erosion on the mechanical behavior of steel fiber reinforced high-strength self-compacting concrete

High-strength self-compacting concrete (HSSCC) meets the requirements of large construction projects for both strength and workability, and the addition of steel fibers further enhances its deformability and toughness. The components are inevitably exposed to harsh environments, and their long-term...

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Main Authors: Junxia Liu, Anbang Li, Junpeng Chen, Lanlan Zhou
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: Elsevier 2025-07-01
Series:Case Studies in Construction Materials
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Online Access:http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S2214509525002049
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author Junxia Liu
Anbang Li
Junpeng Chen
Lanlan Zhou
author_facet Junxia Liu
Anbang Li
Junpeng Chen
Lanlan Zhou
author_sort Junxia Liu
collection DOAJ
description High-strength self-compacting concrete (HSSCC) meets the requirements of large construction projects for both strength and workability, and the addition of steel fibers further enhances its deformability and toughness. The components are inevitably exposed to harsh environments, and their long-term mechanical performance in such conditions undoubtedly has a significant influence on the safety of construction buildings. This paper conducted 300 cycles of sulfate freeze-thaw (SFT) erosion experiment on Grade 100 HSSCC cured for 120 days and then investigated the changes in appearance, microstructure, and mechanical behavior, clarifying the role of steel fibers in enhancing its erosion resistance. The results showed that the loss rate of mass and compressive strength of steel fiber reinforced HSSCC increased as cycles of SFT erosion increased, while they decreased with the increasing Vf. Whereas the relative dynamic elastic modulus exhibited an opposite trend and remained above 0.98. During 300 cycles of SFT erosion, the HSSCC underwent three stages: microcrack generation, crack expansion, and capillary pore deterioration. The latter two were caused by the combined effect of ettringite crystal expansion and frosting swelling force. Steel fibers improved the flexural-tensile strength, initial flexural toughness, and residual flexural toughness of HSSCC subjected to various cycles of SFT erosion, particularly mitigating the deterioration of their residual flexural toughness. When Vf increased from 0.3 v% to 1.2 v%, Re,300 and Re,150 of HSSCC subjected to 150 erosive cycles increased by 1.4 and 1.6 times, respectively, whereas during 150–300 cycles they improved by a factor of 1.4 and 2.1. This demonstrated that steel fibers significantly improved the flexural-tensile deformation behavior and erosion resistance of HSSCC.
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spelling doaj-art-966fd8a7410e40beb159a29700a9eac72025-08-20T03:01:03ZengElsevierCase Studies in Construction Materials2214-50952025-07-0122e0440610.1016/j.cscm.2025.e04406Influence mechanism of sulfate freeze-thaw cyclic erosion on the mechanical behavior of steel fiber reinforced high-strength self-compacting concreteJunxia Liu0Anbang Li1Junpeng Chen2Lanlan Zhou3Corresponding author.; School of Architectural Engineering, Zhongyuan University of Technology, Zhengzhou, Henan 450007, ChinaSchool of Architectural Engineering, Zhongyuan University of Technology, Zhengzhou, Henan 450007, ChinaSchool of Architectural Engineering, Zhongyuan University of Technology, Zhengzhou, Henan 450007, ChinaSchool of Architectural Engineering, Zhongyuan University of Technology, Zhengzhou, Henan 450007, ChinaHigh-strength self-compacting concrete (HSSCC) meets the requirements of large construction projects for both strength and workability, and the addition of steel fibers further enhances its deformability and toughness. The components are inevitably exposed to harsh environments, and their long-term mechanical performance in such conditions undoubtedly has a significant influence on the safety of construction buildings. This paper conducted 300 cycles of sulfate freeze-thaw (SFT) erosion experiment on Grade 100 HSSCC cured for 120 days and then investigated the changes in appearance, microstructure, and mechanical behavior, clarifying the role of steel fibers in enhancing its erosion resistance. The results showed that the loss rate of mass and compressive strength of steel fiber reinforced HSSCC increased as cycles of SFT erosion increased, while they decreased with the increasing Vf. Whereas the relative dynamic elastic modulus exhibited an opposite trend and remained above 0.98. During 300 cycles of SFT erosion, the HSSCC underwent three stages: microcrack generation, crack expansion, and capillary pore deterioration. The latter two were caused by the combined effect of ettringite crystal expansion and frosting swelling force. Steel fibers improved the flexural-tensile strength, initial flexural toughness, and residual flexural toughness of HSSCC subjected to various cycles of SFT erosion, particularly mitigating the deterioration of their residual flexural toughness. When Vf increased from 0.3 v% to 1.2 v%, Re,300 and Re,150 of HSSCC subjected to 150 erosive cycles increased by 1.4 and 1.6 times, respectively, whereas during 150–300 cycles they improved by a factor of 1.4 and 2.1. This demonstrated that steel fibers significantly improved the flexural-tensile deformation behavior and erosion resistance of HSSCC.http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S2214509525002049High-strength self-compacting concreteSteel fiberSulfate freeze-thaw cyclic erosionDeterioration mechanismFlexural toughness
spellingShingle Junxia Liu
Anbang Li
Junpeng Chen
Lanlan Zhou
Influence mechanism of sulfate freeze-thaw cyclic erosion on the mechanical behavior of steel fiber reinforced high-strength self-compacting concrete
Case Studies in Construction Materials
High-strength self-compacting concrete
Steel fiber
Sulfate freeze-thaw cyclic erosion
Deterioration mechanism
Flexural toughness
title Influence mechanism of sulfate freeze-thaw cyclic erosion on the mechanical behavior of steel fiber reinforced high-strength self-compacting concrete
title_full Influence mechanism of sulfate freeze-thaw cyclic erosion on the mechanical behavior of steel fiber reinforced high-strength self-compacting concrete
title_fullStr Influence mechanism of sulfate freeze-thaw cyclic erosion on the mechanical behavior of steel fiber reinforced high-strength self-compacting concrete
title_full_unstemmed Influence mechanism of sulfate freeze-thaw cyclic erosion on the mechanical behavior of steel fiber reinforced high-strength self-compacting concrete
title_short Influence mechanism of sulfate freeze-thaw cyclic erosion on the mechanical behavior of steel fiber reinforced high-strength self-compacting concrete
title_sort influence mechanism of sulfate freeze thaw cyclic erosion on the mechanical behavior of steel fiber reinforced high strength self compacting concrete
topic High-strength self-compacting concrete
Steel fiber
Sulfate freeze-thaw cyclic erosion
Deterioration mechanism
Flexural toughness
url http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S2214509525002049
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