Mechanical and electrical properties of magnetically aligned micro steel fiber‐reinforced self‐compacting concrete

Abstract This study investigates the impact of magnetic alignment of micro steel fibers (0.35%, 0.70%, and 1.05% contents) on the mechanical and electrical properties of fiber‐reinforced self‐compacting concrete. A simplified magnetic circuit was designed and built to align the fibers within the concrete matrix. A finite element model was developed to qualitatively analyze the magnetic field distribution, concentration zones, and reliability, then verified through experimental testing. Electrical properties were characterized by bulk electrical resistivity measurements. Mechanical performance was assessed through compressive strength, splitting tensile strength, and flexural performance. Preferential magnetic orientation of micro steel fibers led to maximum enhancements of 9.1% in compressive strength, 10% in tensile strength, and 9.1% in flexural failure load, aligning with detection methods of electrical resistivity and orientation factor. Toughness index (T 150 ) improved by up to 32.0% compared to nonmagnetized specimens, allowing for a feasible reduction in fiber volume while preserving bending performance with aligned fibers.