Effect of Superplasticizer Dosage on Mechanical and Durability Properties of Low-Volume Steel Microfiber Reinforced Self-Compacting Concrete

This study investigates the effects of low-volume steel microfibers (0–0.4 vol.%) and superplasticizer (SP) dosage (0.8 wt.% and 1.5 wt.%) on the mechanical and durability properties of self-compacting concrete (SCC) for railing structures, with a constant water-binder ratio of 0.28. Fresh (slump flow), mechanical (compressive strength up to 90 days, 28-day flexural strength), durability (drying shrinkage, freeze–thaw resistance after 200 cycles), and microstructural (mercury intrusion porosimetry) properties were evaluated. SP enhances flowability while steel fibers reduce it. All mixtures except that with 0.8% SP and 0.4% fibers meet the workability requirements of Chinese standard JGJ/T 283-2012 for SCC. Compressive and flexural strengths generally increase with fiber content but decrease when the SP dosage rises from 0.8% to 1.5%. Steel fibers effectively reduce drying shrinkage and improve freeze–thaw resistance, as indicated by higher relative dynamic elastic moduli and lower mass loss after 200 cycles. Microstructural analysis reveals that the higher SP dosage (1.5 wt.%) significantly increases porosity, which explains the observed higher shrinkage and lower strength. Considering mechanical properties, durability, and castability, the SCC mixture with 0.3 vol.% steel fibers and 0.8 wt.% SP is recommended for railing structure applications.