Durability of Slurry Infiltrated Fiber Concrete under Chloride and Sulfate Exposure

Seror Abdulwahid; S. Z. Abeer; Tumadhir Merawi Borhan

doi:10.71229/6hbn7y41

Authors

Seror Najm Abdulwahid Department of Civil Engineering, Collage of Engineering, University of Al-Qadisiya
S. Z. Abeer Department of Roads & Transport, Collage of Engineering, University of Al-Qadisiya
Tumadhir Merawi Borhan Department of Civil Engineering, Collage of Engineering, University of Al-Qadisiya

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.71229/6hbn7y41

Keywords:

SIFCON; Durability; Fiber rienforced.

Abstract

Despite the increasing use of Slurry Infiltrated Fiber Concrete (SIFCON) in aggressive service environments, limited information is available regarding its durability under sulfate exposure. Therefore, this study examines the long-term durability performance of SIFCON exposed to different environmental conditions. The experimental program conducted in this study involved preparing SIFCON specimens reinforced with 7% micro steel fibers by volume. These specimens were subjected to different curing environments including water curing, sulfate-rich environments, and combined chloride solutions. Compressive strength test was performed at curing ages of 7, 28, 56, and 90 days, while splitting tensile and flexural strengths were evaluated at 90 days. The results indicated that SIFCON specimens exhibited high compressive strength at early ages, while only slight strength degradation was observed at later ages under the aggressive conditions. The reduction in compressive strength did not exceed 16 % compared with water-cured specimens, while, tensile and flexural strength remained high at 90 days. This behavior shows the high durability of SIFCON in salt rich environments and confirms its suitability for structural applications under harsh conditions.

References

1. Alcan, H.G. and A.F. Bingöl, Examining SIFCON’s Mechanical Behaviors According to Different Fiber and Matrix Phase. Iranian Journal of Science and Technology, Transactions of Civil Engineering, 2019. 43(3): p. 501-507.https://doi.org/10.1007/s40996-018-00227-x

2. Bayraktar, O.Y., T.H. Bozkurt, A. Benli, F. Koksal, M. Türkoğlu, and G. Kaplan, Sustainable one-part alkali activated slag/fly ash Geo-SIFCOM containing recycled sands: Mechanical, flexural, durability and microstructural properties. Sustainable Chemistry and Pharmacy, 2023. 36: p. 101319.https://doi.org/10.1016/j.scp.2023.101319

3. Robayo-Salazar, R., Y. Muñoz, K. Erazo, and R. Mejía de Gutiérrez, Slurry infiltrated fiber concrete (SIFCON) for use in ballistic and fire protection of military structures. Structures, 2023. 57: p. 105282.https://doi.org/10.1016/j.istruc.2023.105282

4. Ali, M.H., C.D. Atiş, and Y.S.S. Al-Kamaki, Mechanical properties and efficiency of SIFCON samples at elevated temperature cured with standard and accelerated method. Case Studies in Construction Materials, 2022. 17: p. e01281.https://doi.org/10.1016/j.cscm.2022.e01281

5. Al-Hadithi, A.I., A.H. Farhan, and D.H. Ali, Investigating mechanical properties of SIFCONs produced with waste PET fibers. Construction and Building Materials, 2024. 448: p. 138220.https://doi.org/10.1016/j.conbuildmat.2024.138220

6. Khamees, S.S., M.M. Kadhum, and N.A. Alwash, Effects of Steel Fibers Geometry on the Mechanical Properties of SIFCON Concrete. Civil Engineering Journal, 2020. 6(1): p. 21-33.https://doi.org/10.28991/cej-2020-03091450

7. Liu, F., H. Hou, J. Lv, Y. Li, M. Wang, and H. Li, Study on pull-out behavior of arc-shaped steel fibers based on SIFCON characteristics. Cement and Concrete Composites, 2026. 171: p. 106621.https://doi.org/10.1016/j.cemconcomp.2026.106621

8. Abeer, S.Z., M.B. Dawood, and M.H. Ghalib, Flexural behavior of continuous beams consisting of normal concrete and SIFCON under static and repeated loads. IOP Conference Series: Materials Science and Engineering, 2020. 870(1): p. 012113.https://doi.org/10.1088/1757-899X/870/1/012113

9. Alrubaie, M.F., S. Ahmed Salih, and W.A. Alrazaq Abbas, Experimental investigation on protection methods of Slurry Infiltrated Fiber Concrete in corrosive environments. IOP Conference Series: Materials Science and Engineering, 2020. 737(1): p. 012047.https://doi.org/10.1088/1757-899X/737/1/012047

10. Wang, X., Y. Liu, and S. Liu, Effect of chloride-induced corrosion on bond performance of various steel fibers in cracked SFRC. Cement and Concrete Composites, 2023. 140: p. 105113.https://doi.org/10.1016/j.cemconcomp.2023.105113

11. Yardım, Y., M. Gesoğlu, and A.H. Nahhab, Durability of ultra-high performance fiber reinforced concrete against internal sulfate attack using gypsum-contaminated aggregates. Construction and Building Materials, 2025. 498: p. 144067.https://doi.org/10.1016/j.conbuildmat.2025.144067

12. BSEN1-197, Cement-Composition, specifications and conformity criteria for common cements,2019, BSI. https://knowledge.bsigroup.com/products/cement-composition-specifications-and-conformity-criteria-for-common-cements

13. ASTMC1437-20, Standard Test Method for Flow of Hydraulic Cement Mortar,2020, ASTM: West Conshohocken, Pennsylvania. p. 2. https://doi.org/10.1520/C1437-20

14. ASTMC109/109M-02, Compressive Strength of Hydraulic Cement Mortars (Using 2-in. or [50-mm] Cube Specimens), ASTM International, ASTM: West Conshohocken, Pennsylvania. p. 6. https://doi.org/10.1520/C0109_C0109M-02

15. C39/C39M-21, A., Standard Test Method for Compressive Strength of Cylindrical Concrete Specimens,2023, ASTM: West Conshohocken, Pennsylvania. p. 8. https://doi.org/10.1520/C0039_C0039M-21

16. C496-96, A., Standard Test Method for Splitting Tensile Strength of Cylindrical Concrete Specimens,2017, ASTM: West Conshohocken, Pennsylvania. p. 4. https://doi.org/10.1520/C0496-96

17. C78/C78M-22, A., Standard Test Method for Flexural Strength of Concrete (Using Simple Beam with Third-Point Loading),2022, ASTM: West Conshohocken, Pennsylvania. p. 5. https://doi.org/10.1520/C0078_C0078M-22

18. Chen, W., B. Huang, Y. Yuan, and M. Deng, Deterioration Process of Concrete Exposed to Internal Sulfate Attack. Materials, 2020. 13(6): p. 1336.https://doi.org/10.3390/ma13061336

19. Yas, M.H., M.M. Kadhum, and W.G.B. Al-Dhufairi, Development of an Engineered Slurry-Infiltrated Fibrous Concrete: Experimental and Modelling Approaches. Infrastructures, 2023. 8(2): p. 19.https://doi.org/10.3390/infrastructures8020019