FIBER-REINFORCED CONCRETE AND COMPOSITIONS FOR FORMING CONCRETE
Fiber-reinforced compositions for forming concrete are disclosed. A fiber-reinforced dry-cast cementitious composition includes a cementitious component, aggregate, and at least one reinforcing component selected from the group consisting of metal fibers, synthetic fibers, and rubber pieces. A fiber-reinforced non-cementitious composition includes a pozzolanic component, aggregate, and at least one reinforcing component selected from the group consisting of metal fibers, synthetic fibers, and rubber pieces. The composition excludes any cementitious component. Fiber-reinforced concrete structures obtained by hardening the above-described compositions are also disclosed.
1 . A dry-cast cementitious composition comprising:
a cementitious component;
aggregate;
at least one reinforcing component selected from the group consisting of metal fibers and rubber pieces; and
water provided in a ratio to the cementitious component of approximately 0.35 or less.
2 . The cementitious composition of claim 1 , wherein the reinforcing component comprises metal fibers.
3 . The cementitious composition of claim 2 , wherein metal fibers comprise steel fibers.
4 . The cementitious composition of claim 2 , wherein the metal fibers have a length of at least 25 mm.
5 . The cementitious composition of claim 2 , wherein the metal fibers have a ratio of length to diameter of at least 65:1.
6 . The cementitious composition of claim 2 , wherein the metal fibers are present in an amount of at least five pounds per cubic yard.
7 . The cementitious composition of claim 1 , wherein the reinforcing component further comprises synthetic fibers.
8 . The cementitious composition of claim 7 , wherein the synthetic fibers have a tensile strength of at least 50 ksi.
9 . The cementitious composition of claim 7 , wherein the synthetic fibers have a length of at least 25 mm.
10 . The cementitious composition of claim 7 , wherein the synthetic fibers have a ratio of length to diameter of at least 45:1.
11 . The cementitious composition of claim 7 , wherein the synthetic fibers are present in an amount of at least three pounds per cubic yard.
12 . The cementitious composition of claim 1 , wherein the reinforcing component comprises rubber pieces.
13 . The cementitious composition of claim 12 , wherein the rubber pieces comprise shredded tires.
14 . The cementitious composition of claim 12 , wherein the rubber pieces have a maximum particle size of less than ¾″.
15 . A concrete structure obtained by hardening the cementitious composition of claim 1 .
16 . The concrete structure of claim 15 , wherein the concrete has a tensile strength of at least 110 psi.
17 . The concrete structure of claim 15 , wherein the concrete has a compressive strength of at least 3.0 ksi.
18 . The concrete structure of claim 15 , further comprising a welded wire reinforcing structure.
19 . The concrete structure of claim 15 , wherein the concrete structure comprises a concrete culvert.
20 . A non-cementitious composition comprising:
a pozzolanic component;
aggregate; and
at least one reinforcing component selected from the group consisting of metal fibers and rubber pieces,
wherein the composition excludes any cementitious component.
21 . The composition of claim 20 , wherein the reinforcing component comprises metal fibers.
22 . The composition of claim 21 , wherein metal fibers comprise steel fibers.
23 . The composition of claim 21 , wherein the metal fibers have a length of at least 35 mm.
24 . The composition of claim 21 , wherein the metal fibers have a ratio of length to diameter of at least 65:1.
25 . The composition of claim 21 , wherein the metal fibers are present in an amount of at least five pounds per cubic yard.
26 . The composition of claim 20 , wherein the reinforcing component further comprises synthetic fibers.
27 . The composition of claim 26 , wherein the synthetic fibers have a tensile strength of at least 50 ksi.
28 . The composition of claim 26 , wherein the synthetic fibers have a length of at least 25 mm.
29 . The composition of claim 26 , wherein the synthetic fibers have a ratio of length to diameter of at least 45:1.
30 . The composition of claim 26 , wherein the synthetic fibers are present in an amount of at least three pounds per cubic yard.
31 . The composition of claim 20 , wherein the reinforcing component comprises rubber pieces.
32 . The composition of claim 31 , wherein the rubber pieces comprise shredded tires.
33 . The composition of claim 31 , wherein the rubber pieces have a maximum particle size of less than ¾″.
34 . The composition of claim 20 , further comprising a hydroxide material in a ratio to water of approximately 20 by molar weight.
35 . A concrete structure obtained by hardening the composition of claim 20 .
36 . The concrete structure of claim 35 , wherein the concrete has a tensile strength of at least 110 psi.
37 . The concrete structure of claim 36 , wherein the concrete has a compressive strength of at least 3.0 ksi.
38 . The concrete structure of claim 35 , further comprising a welded wire reinforcing structure.
39 . The concrete structure of claim 35 , wherein the concrete structure comprises a concrete culvert.
40 . The cementitious composition of claim 1 , wherein the reinforcing component comprises rubber pieces and at least one additional reinforcing component selected from the group consisting of the metal fibers and synthetic fibers.
41 . The composition of claim 20 , wherein the reinforcing component comprises rubber pieces and at least one additional reinforcing component selected from the group consisting of the metal fibers and synthetic fibers.