TP03 Galicia PDF

50th ASEP Anniversary International Convention & Exposition, “Safer, Smarter & Greener”
Technical Proceedings ISSN 1656-7757, September 28-30, 2011 Makati City, Philippines
THE EFFECTS OF STEEL FIBER REINFORCED MORTAR

(SFRM) JACKET ON SQUARE REINFORCED CONCRETE COLUMNS
Dr. Bernardo A. Lejano, Krist Kevinson A. Galicia, Jonathan Vincent C. Sia, Daniel Nichol
R. Valerio
ABSTRACT: Jacketing is an engineering practice in retrofitting RC columns. The method of
jacketing considered in this research is the use of Steel Fiber Reinforced Mortar (SFRM). The
effect of the amount of steel fibers on the load carrying capacity of the column was the main
focus of this study. The experimental work dealt with RC columns measuring 120mm x 120mm
cross-section and coated with 10mm thick SFRM jacket. Three volume fractions of SFRM were
considered, 1%, 2%, and 3%. Through compression test, the jacketed columns were tested until
failure. The load, strains, displacement, and failure modes were monitored. The load resisted by
a column may be broken down into the resistance provided by the three materials, namely:
concrete, steel, and SFRM. The load carried by each material was evaluated. The actual load
resisted by the column subtracted by the calculated unconfined load contribution of each
material quantifies the confinement effect. Analysis shows that all volume fractions had
increased the columns’ load carrying capacity. Furthermore, 2% SFRM retrofitted columns
have the greatest average increase in compressive strength.
KEYWORDS: columns; concrete; reinforcement; confinement; steel fiber
1. INTRODUCTION
The rehabilitation of an existing building is due to different reasons. Additional loadings brought
by several factors could lead to the failure of the building. The strength hierarchy of a building to
remain safe is defined in a way that columns should be stronger than beams, and foundations
should be stronger than columns. If ever columns are made weaker by weathering or corrosion
then the additional loads would cause severe local damage on the structure specifically on the top
and bottom of a particular storey (Granju and Balouch, 2005). Columns are primarily structural
members subjected to loads parallel to their longitudinal axis. These vertical members are the
ones carrying the greatest load in buildings, which means that failure in these members would
cause the failure of the whole system. For buildings that lived long, the structural stability might
not be capable of resisting added forces due to accidents, corrosion, renovations (addition of
floors) and the likes anymore. Aged columns are in need of rehabilitation so as to compensate
the lost strength due to different corrosive elements. While efficient interventions in reinforced
concrete columns are more or less limited to injecting grout to its voids, various possibilities are
available for strengthening these members. In the case of seriously damaged columns or where
there is a need to strengthen existing columns, reinforced-cement coating (jacket) is an effective
method to improve lateral resistance and energy dissipation capacity. To be able to fully
strengthen the column using jacket, the material to be used should be excellent enough in tensile
properties.
2. CONCEPTUAL AND THEORETICAL FRAMEWORK
2.1 Conceptual Framework
The mechanical properties of retrofitting materials are likely to manipulate the long-term
performance of the structural members. In order to maintain or provide additional strength to the
members, repairs or retrofitting including jacketing and patching is required. Rehabilitation of
existing building would require strengthening of the members of structure, however, this study
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would focus on strengthening of existing columns through the use of reinforced mortar coating
or mortar jacketing.
2.2 Theoretical Framework
The nominal load capacity of columns without jacketing could be computed by using equation 1.
The confinement of the jacket also contributes to the nominal axial strength in which it cannot be
analyzed yet. Through the experiments, the increase in strength could be obtained to predict the
confinement effect of the SFRM jacket to the RC column.
Pn = αfc [ Ag + (n-1)As ] (1)
The increased nominal axial load due to SFRM jacketing will be analyzed by using the stress-
strain diagram of the SFRM cylinder specimens. Using the strain in the vertical reinforcements,
which is assumed to be equal to that in the SFRM jacket, the longitudinal stress on the SFRM
jacket can be obtained. This stress when multiplied to the area of the jacket will produce the
compressive force resisted by the jacket which brings the equation:
Pf = σ f x A f (2)
where: Pf = force resisted by the jacketing material (SFRM);
σf = internal stress of the jacketing material (SFRM);
Af = cross-sectional area of the jacketing material (SFRM).
To be able to determine the strength due to confinement, it is necessary to derive the stress-strain
curve of the RC column with SFRM jacket. Using the strain gauge, the strain corresponding to
the subjected load will be obtained and these strains will be used to determine the stress in the
materials. On the part of the where the stress-strain diagram can still be considered as linear,
Hooke’s law applies. Using the stress-strain curve of each material, the corresponding stresses
of each material can be obtained given the strain at a load P. Subtracting the actual strength of
the column to the contribution of each material will give the increase in strength due to
confinement effect, Cf, which makes the equation:
Cf = Pn – (Pc + Ps + Pf) (3)

where: Pn = actual compressive force resisted by the force ;
Pc = force resisted by the concrete = fc x Ac;
Ps = force resisted by the steel = fs x As;
Pf = force resisted by the SFRM jacket = fcf x Af.
3. RESEARCH METHODOLOGY
3.1. Research Design
Fifteen cylindrical specimens as shown in table 1 and twelve reinforced concrete column
specimens as seen on table 2 were tested. ASTM C-39 which is the compressive strength test
results for circular cylinders was used for determining the compressive force of cylindrical
specimens. The Universal Testing Machine (UTM) for compression was used to obtain the
compressive forces of the reinforced concrete column specimens. Also, the Universal Testing
Machine for tension was used to obtain the tensile strength of the reinforcing bars used in the RC
specimens.
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Table 1. Quantity distribution of cylindrical specimens
Specimen Type Quantity

Concrete 3
Mortar 3
SFRM – 1% 3
SFRM – 2% 3
SFRM – 3% 3
Table 2. Quantity distribution of square RC Column specimens
Specimen Type Quantity

RC Column Core 3
RC Column with 1% SFRM Jacket 3
3.2. Experiment Design
3.2.1. Variable Representation
The study incorporates variables to represent the parameters that were needed to evaluate the
confinement effect of steel fiber reinforced mortar on rectangular RC column specimens. Table 3
summarizes the variables and their respective representation for the study.
Table 3. Variable representation
Area Modulus of Compressive Maximum Displace- Strain

Elasticity Strength Force ment
Concrete Ac Ec fc Pnc Δc εc
Mortar Am Em fcm Pnm Δm εm
SFRM Af Ef fcf Pnf Δf εf
Reinforcing bar As Es fy Py Δs εs
3.2.2. Code Designation

The specimens considered in the study were coded according to the description that each
specimen holds. The cylindrical specimens were named based on the composition of each sample
holds. The first variable represents the designation of the composition of the specimen. (C) for
concrete, (M) for mortar and (P%) for P% steel fiber content on mortars. The last number
represents the specimen number for the group composition where it belongs. On the other hand,
the RC column specimens were labeled as “COL”. The first number represents the steel fiber
content in volume fraction represented by the numbers 0, 1, 2, and 3. The last number represents
the specimen number for the group.
3.2.3. Column Design
3.2.3.1. Steel Fiber Properties
The steel fiber used in the experiment came from the Philippine Gabions Inc. It has a length of
50 mm and a diameter of 0.75 mm. It has an aspect ratio of 66.67 and is commonly used
technology as an additive for slab construction.
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3.2.3.2. Steel Fiber Properties
Strain gages were placed at mid-height of each cylindrical specimen tested as shown in Figure 1
to obtain the vertical strains of cylindrical specimens. The strains would be used to obtain stress-
strain diagrams which will be used in the analysis.
Figure 1. Strain gages on cylindrical specimens
3.2.3.3. Reinforced Concrete Column Specimens
Strain gauges were placed at the main reinforcement and steel tie of each RC column specimen
as shown in Figure 2. These strain gauges would measure the axial strain and lateral strain,
respectively. The values of strains would be used to determine load-strain relationships of each
RC specimen which would be used in the study. Strain gauges were installed at positions A, B, C
and D, as indicated in Figure 2.
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Figure 2. Specifications of ties and reinforcing bars on concrete core
3.2.4 Construction of Specimens
Square RC column specimens measuring 120mm x 120mm in cross section and 300mm high
were cast using 21MPa concrete. The square RC column specimens were reinforced with four 10
mm reinforcing steel bars on all corners with 20 mm cover. Steel ties of 10 mm in diameter and
spaced 100 mm were used. The specimens were manufactured in a warehouse and was designed
based on the compressive loading capacity of the Universal Testing Machine. The concrete used
came from a single batch of concrete mix to ensure uniform composition. The curing lasted for
28 days. The mix design of the retrofitting mortar and the design of the RC column remained
constant while the amount of steel fibers was the parameter that was varied. The differences in
performance of the specimens determined how the steel fiber jacket could significantly or
insignificantly strengthen the RC columns.
3.2.5 Testing of Specimens
Specimens were tested with the use of the Universal Testing Machine for compression. The
specimens were tested in the compression machine until failure. Pi gauges were attached on the
sides of the columns to obtain strains and displacement of the concrete externally. The strain
gauges were attached as well to the reinforcing bars that determined the strain that the loading
had caused to the specimens. Displacement transducers were also used in order to obtain the
magnitude of displacement that the load had induced to the specimens. The load cell was used to
monitor and record the amount of force that the universal testing machine applied.
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Figure 3. Compression Test of RC specimens
The reinforcing bars used were tested conforming to ASTM E8 which is the standard Test
Methods for Tension of Metallic Material. The tensile strength of the bars would also be used in
the theoretical computations in order to predict the nominal compressive strength of the
rectangular RC columns.
4. DATA AND ANALYSIS
4.1 Material Properties
The results of the laboratory tests for steel, concrete, mortar, steel fibers, and SFRM are
summarized below. Steel fibers used in the study are industrially fabricated steel fibers
distributed by Maccaferri (Philippines) Incorporated. Table 4 summarizes its properties.
Table 4. Steel Fiber Properties
Unit Weight L D L/D Density

0.19 g 50 mm 0.75 mm 66.67 8601 kg/m3
The mortar used in the experiment was prepared in a warehouse. It has an average density of
1971 kg/m3. The main reinforcing bars used in the experiment yielded an average ultimate stress
of 571.9 MPa and yield stress of 388 MPa.
The magnitude of the maximum compressive forces of the concrete, mortar and SFRM cylinders
was obtained from the Universal Testing Machine for compression based on 0.003 and 0.015
strains. Tables 5 show the summary of results that each concrete specimen exhibited.
Table 5. Average Compressive Test Results: Concrete, Mortar and SFRM
Specimen Strain Average f'c

Concrete 0.003 23.23 MPa
Mortar 0.003 15.16 MPa
1% - SFRM 0.015 19.91 MPa
2% - SFRM 0.015 19.30 MPa
3% - SFRM 0.015 17.59 MPa
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4.2 Load-Strain relationship for column specimens
Load–strain relationship of reinforced concrete specimens would show the compressive forces of
each respective group of specimens at concrete strain of 0.003 and steel strain of 0.001, and also
at the peak compressive force reading. The strains of the longitudinal reinforcements of the RC
column specimens were taken from the vertically installed strain gauges in the reinforcing steel
while assuming that the strain of the concrete would be the same to that of the steel. Table 6
shows the differences of the forces induced by each group of specimens.
Table 6. Summary of Compressive Forces of Column Specimens

Data at recorded peak load
Specimen Group Average Compressive Force (kN) Difference from COL-0 group
COL-0 344.4 -
COL-1 401.5 57.1
COL-2 437.9 93.4
COL-3 390.4 46.0
Data at 0.001 strain of steel
COL-0 207.9 -
COL-1 288.4 80.5
COL-2 386.7 178.8
COL-3 328.8 120.9
Data at 0.003 strain of concrete
COL-0 303.5 -
COL-1 358.0 54.5
COL-2 426.3 122.8
COL-3 406.5 103.0
Load-strain curves were plotted to have a clearer view of the increase in load capacity of column
specimen considered. Figure 4 shows the load-strain relationships.
Figure 4. Load-Strain relationships
Based on Figure 4, it may be observed that the specimens with 2% SFRM jacketing resulted to
the most desirable strength among all the group of specimens considered. It has a load resistance
of 426.3 kN at 0.003 strain. It also exhibited the highest strength at yield of steel compared to the
other specimens.
85
4.3 Confining Pressure of SFRM Jacket
Since the SFRM jacket is designed with higher tensile strength than concrete then it would be
able to exert pressure on the column to resist its lateral expansion (dilatancy). This confining
pressure will help prevent the lateral reinforcements from bulging. Table 7 shows the lateral
strains at different stages of loading.
Table 7. Summary of Lateral Strains at Different Loading Conditions

At peak load
Specimen Group Average Lateral Strain ( )
COL-0 245
COL-1 223
COL-2 660
COL-3 67
At 0.001 strain of Steel
COL-0 155
COL-1 25
COL-2 377
COL-3 26
At 0.003 strain of Concrete
COL-0 1.9
COL-1 56
COL-2 518
COL-3 87
Considering the strains at the peak stress, the average lateral strain of concrete core or COL-0 at
failure is 245 (micro). COL – 1 and COL – 3 specimens had an average lateral strain of 223
micro and 67 respectively in which the ties of these columns did not yield. On the other hand,
COL – 2 specimens showed an average lateral strain of 660 . This strain is greater than that in
COL – 0 specimens. It is only in COL – 2 specimens that the average lateral strains were greater
than that in the core specimens.
4.4 Increased Nominal Compressive Strength due to Confinement
Since reinforcing of the jacket with steel fibers increases its tensile strength, then the actual
compressive strength may be increased by the confinement effect. In order to quantify this
confinement effect, one approach would be by determining the contribution of each material in
resisting the load. The contribution of each material can be obtained by using the stress-strain
curves of each material during compressive test of cylinder specimens and tensile test for steel.
The stresses of concrete were obtained using the equation of the polynomial trend line generated
from Microsoft Excel. The compressive strength contribution of steel was determined by
utilizing the stress-strain curves of steel during the split-tensile tests. The intersection between
the elastic and plastic behavior would be the yield point of the steel in the column specimens.
Setting the average yield point force in table 6 in the yield point of steel in the stress-strain
diagram of the column specimen, the equation of the line that would provide the force carried by
the steel at certain strains within the elastic curve could be determined. The average stress-strain
curves of SFRM were also provided with a polynomial trend lines in order to locate the
longitudinal stress that SFRM is exhibiting at a certain strain during the compressive test of the
column specimens.
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The compressive strength of each column specimens was not limited to the compressive strength
of each material that consist these columns. The SFRM jacketing material acted as a confining
medium. Considering at load 250 kN, Table 8 shows the percent contribution of each material
and confinement effect. This was also done at load 150 kN and 300 kN. However due to space
limitation only the result of the calculation at 250 kN is shown.
Table 8. Percentage of Material’s strength contribution at P = 250 kN
Specimen Pc(%) Ps(%) Pf(%) Cf(%) Average Cf(%)

COL-1-1 - - - -
COL-1-2 52.29 19.36 2.63 25.73 33.82
COL-1-3 41.55 14.57 1.97 41.91
COL-2-1 35.27 23.87 2.64 38.22
COL-2-2 22.03 15.27 1.37 61.32 49.77
COL-2-3 26.77 - 1.82 -
COL-3-1 43.39 34.83 2.63 19.15
COL-3-2 40.31 25.33 2.43 31.92 22.14
COL-3-3 49.97 31.62 3.06 15.35
Based on the average confinement effect presented, specimens on the group of COL–2
performed best. It resulted to greatest confinement effect as compared to other volume fractions.
Figure 5. Contributions to the actual load of 250 kN for COL-1 specimens
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Even though the compressive strength of 1% SFRM cylinders were higher than the three volume
fractions, 2% SFRM jackets turned out to exhibit the largest confining effect. It can be seen in
the contribution of SFRM that its carried load is very small as compared to other materials but
the combined confinement of the lateral ties and the jacket provided a significant increase in
strength.
5. CONCLUSION
The study concludes that Steel Fiber Reinforced Mortar (SFRM) increases the load carrying
capacity of reinforced concrete columns. The study confirms that there is an increase in nominal
compressive strength of the retrofitted column due to the confinement of the SFRM jacketing
and steel ties at a maximum of 49.7% based on the 250 kN load applied on the RC columns. This
increase of strength is exhibited by the RC column specimens with 2% steel fiber content on its
jacketing material.
The study also verifies that at yielding of steel, an interpolated increase in compressive strength
of 178.8 kN is given by the RC column with 2% SFRM jacketing which is the highest increase in
strength among the jacketing materials considered in the study. At ultimate stage, the
compressive strength for 2% SFRM retrofitted column also had the greatest increase in strength
which had reached to 93.4 kN.
The study also quantified the contribution of steel, concrete, SFRM and its confinement effect to
the load carrying capacity of the retrofitted column. Based on the test results, specimens from the
group of COL–2 exhibited the greatest confinement effect for specific load conditions at 150 kN,
250 kN and 350 kN. However the confinement effect is still the combined effect of the lateral
ties and the SFRM jacket.
These results would conclude that the RC specimens with 2% steel fiber content on its SFRM
jacket has the most increase in strength among other percentages of steel fiber used in this study.
However, the optimum percentage content of steel fiber as a jacketing material that is advisable
to be used in practice is still yet to be analyzed and studied.
REFERENCES
Ding, Y. and Kusterle W. (2000). Compressive stress-strain relationship of steel fibre reinforced
concrete. Cement and concrete research, 1573-1579.
Estañero, R. (N.A.). Reinforced Concrete Columns. (book)
88
ASEP (2001) National Structural Code of the Philippines, Volume 1. Association of Structural
Engineers of the Philippines (ASEP), Manila
Natajara, M. et. al. (1999). Stress-strain curves for steel-fiber reinforced concrete under
compression. Cement and Concrete Composites, 383-390.
Togkoz, S. and Dundar, C. (2010). Experimental study on steel tubular columns in-filled with
plain and steel fiber reinforced concrete. Thin Walled Structures, 414-422.
ABOUT THE AUTHORS

Dr. Bernardo Lejano is a faculty of the Civil Engineering Department of De La Salle University. He
obtained his doctorate degree in engineering from Nihon University, Japan. He may be contacted at his
email address bernardo.lejano@dlsu.edu.ph.
Krist Kevinson A. Galicia will obtain his degree on Bachelor of Science in Civil Engineering major in
Structural Engineering from the De La Salle University - Manila, Philippines on October 2011.
Jonathan Vincent C.Sia will obtain his degree on Bachelor of Science in Civil Engineering major in
Daniel Nichol R. Valerio will obtain his degree on Bachelor of Science in Civil Engineering major in
ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS
The steel fiber used in the concrete mixes cited in this paper was steel fiber product F3 distributed by
Philippine Gabions, Incorporated. The authors greatly appreciate this company for the assistance in
procuring the steel fibers used in the experiment.
The authors are also indebted to the faculty and staff of the Civil Engineering Department of DLSU,
Manila especially their technicians Jay and Tony for their invaluable help in carrying out the research.
89

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50th ASEP Anniversary International Convention & Exposition, “Safer, Smarter & Greener”

THE EFFECTS OF STEEL FIBER REINFORCED MORTAR

KEYWORDS: columns; concrete; reinforcement; confinement; steel fiber

2. CONCEPTUAL AND THEORETICAL FRAMEWORK

2.1 Conceptual Framework

2.2 Theoretical Framework

Pn = αfc [ Ag + (n-1)As ] (1)

Cf = Pn – (Pc + Ps + Pf) (3)

3.1. Research Design

Table 1. Quantity distribution of cylindrical specimens

Specimen Type Quantity

Table 2. Quantity distribution of square RC Column specimens

Specimen Type Quantity

3.2. Experiment Design

3.2.1. Variable Representation

Table 3. Variable representation

Area Modulus of Compressive Maximum Displace- Strain

3.2.2. Code Designation

3.2.3. Column Design

3.2.3.1. Steel Fiber Properties

3.2.3.2. Steel Fiber Properties

Figure 1. Strain gages on cylindrical specimens

3.2.3.3. Reinforced Concrete Column Specimens

Figure 2. Specifications of ties and reinforcing bars on concrete core

3.2.4 Construction of Specimens

Figure 3. Compression Test of RC specimens

4. DATA AND ANALYSIS

4.1 Material Properties

Table 4. Steel Fiber Properties

Unit Weight L D L/D Density

Table 5. Average Compressive Test Results: Concrete, Mortar and SFRM

Specimen Strain Average f'c

4.2 Load-Strain relationship for column specimens

Table 6. Summary of Compressive Forces of Column Specimens

Figure 4. Load-Strain relationships

4.3 Confining Pressure of SFRM Jacket

Table 7. Summary of Lateral Strains at Different Loading Conditions

4.4 Increased Nominal Compressive Strength due to Confinement

Table 8. Percentage of Material’s strength contribution at P = 250 kN

Specimen Pc(%) Ps(%) Pf(%) Cf(%) Average Cf(%)

Figure 5. Contributions to the actual load of 250 kN for COL-1 specimens

Figure 6. Contributions to the actual load of 250 kN for COL-2 specimens

Figure 7. Contributions to the actual load of 250 kN for COL-3 specimens

Estañero, R. (N.A.). Reinforced Concrete Columns. (book)

ABOUT THE AUTHORS

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