Comparative study of mechanical properties of one-part alkali-activated slag concrete using deformed and recycled tire steel fibers

The significance of finding industrial waste solutions in the construction industry plays a crucial role in the quest for environmental conservation. To reduce the carbon footprint, this research has focused on developing solutions. This study assesses the mechanical properties of water-cured alkali-activated slag concrete (AASC) prepared using a one-part activator, where the dry alkali activator is pre-mixed with slag before water addition. The mix is then reinforced with three types of steel fibers, namely deformed steel fibers (DSF), recycled tire steel fiber (RTSF), and hybrid steel fiber (HSF) at varying volume fractions (0.5 %, 0.75 %, and 1.0 %). Numerous characteristics, including workability, compressive strength, flexural strength, splitting tensile strength, flexural toughness, and SEM observations in short-term, and stress-strain response under uniaxial compression, modulus of elasticity, peak strain and energy absorption in long-term were assessed. According to the test results, compressive strength was largely unaffected by fiber addition, with DSF at 1 % volume (DSF1) achieving the highest strength (58.51 MPa at 28 days). Conversely, optimal compressive strength for RTSF was observed at 0.5 % volume. On the other hand, the concrete mixes' splitting tensile, and flexural strengths increased with the addition of steel fibers achieving maximum values at 1 % DSF. The addition of steel fibers transformed the stress-strain response of one-part AASC mixes from brittle to ductile, with HSF specimens at 1 % volume (HSF1) exhibiting a 50 % increase in strain related to peak stress compared to the reference. Remarkably the HSF1 mix achieved a 421 % increase in toughness at 365 days compared to the reference mix. The DSF1 mix at 28 days and HSF1 at 365 days achieved the highest energy absorption capacity. Overall, the inclusion of 1 % DSF, RTSF, and HSF fibers enhanced the mechanical properties of one-part AASC, with DSF providing the most significant improvements at 28 days. • Characteristics of the compressive, flexural, tensile strengths, and stress-strain behavior of one-part AASC are given. • Steel fiber inclusion to one-part AASC significantly impacted the stress-strain behavior, especially the descending branch. • DSF1 provided the greatest improvement compared to RTSF at 28 days. • HSF1 mix showed a 50 % increase in strain at peak stress and a 421 % increase in toughness compared to REF at 365 days. • DSF1 mix at 28 days and HSF1 at 365 days showed the greatest improvement in energy absorption capacity.