The use of steel cord scrap in concrete

Abstract

Materials used for the study: Portland cement CEM I 42.5 R, 4/16 gravel, 0/4 sand. The fine aggregate in four concrete mixtures was substituted with steel cord scrap added at 1.5 %, 3.0 % and 4.5 %. Water absorption and compressive strength was measured in concrete specimens after 7 and 28 days of curing. Total, closed and open porosity was measured in the modified concrete specimens. The tests of predicted freeze-thaw cycles were done. Test results showed that the substitution of fine aggregate with steel cord scrap results in lower water absorption and higher compressive strength in the modified concrete specimens. The porosity parameters have also changed: the closed porosity has increased and consequently the freeze-thaw resistance of modified concrete has improved.