Homogenous flow performance of steel fiber-reinforced self-consolidating concrete for repair applications: developing a new empirical set-up

In this study, a new empirical Square-Box test was employed to evaluate the homogeneous flow performance of fiber-reinforced self-consolidating concrete (FR-SCC) under confined-flow conditions that are typical of repair applications. The Square-Box set-up consisted of a closed-circuit box, providing 2.4-m flow distance and a closed-surface cross section of 100-mm width and 200-mm height, equipped with 0 and 4 rows of reinforcing bar grids with 45-mm clear spacing. The flow performance was assessed in terms of dynamic stability and passing ability. The investigated mixtures were considered as diphasic suspensions of fiber-coarse aggregate (F-A > 5 mm) in suspending mortars containing particles finer than 5 mm. According to the experimental results, the dynamic segregation and blocking indices of the investigated mixtures were found in good agreements with characteristics of F-A combination and rheology of mortar. The investigated mixtures exhibited significantly higher blocking indices through the Square-Box set-up compared to those obtained using the L-Box test. Furthermore, the characteristics of F-A and rheology of mortar showed opposite effects on dynamic segregation assessed using Square-Box and conventional T-Box set-ups. Under confined flow conditions, higher dynamic segregation led to more dissimilar compressive strength values at different flow distances through the proposed Square-Box set-up. A new filling ability classification was established based on the experimental dynamic stability and passing ability results of the proposed empirical test.