ANALYSIS AND PREDICTION OF COMPRESSIVE AND SPLIT TENSILE STRENGTH OF STEEL-FIBRE REINFORCED CONCRETE

Steel fibres have been increasingly incorporated into concrete mixes to improve its mechanical properties and durability. This study investigates the compressive and tensile strength performance of steel fibre reinforced concrete (SFRC) at varying fibre dosages and curing ages of 7, 14, 21, and 28 days. Concrete mixes were designed with standard proportions, and steel fibres were introduced in controlled percentages. During specimen preparation, mould releasing agents were applied to ensure easy demoulding and preservation of surface integrity. Comprehensive testing was conducted on fresh and hardened concrete, including compressive strength, splitting tensile strength, regression modelling, and durability indicators. Regression analysis was applied to establish a power-type relationship between compressive and splitting tensile strength, and statistical parameters such as RMSE and MAE were used to validate accuracy. The results revealed that the inclusion of steel fibres significantly enhanced tensile strength and moderately improved compressive strength. Optimum performance was recorded at specific fibre dosages, beyond which strength gains plateaued or slightly declined. The regression model provided a reliable tool for predicting tensile behaviour from compressive results. The study concludes that steel fibre addition contributes positively to concrete’s mechanical properties, particularly in tensile behaviour, making SFRC a promising material for structural applications requiring enhanced toughness and crack resistance.