An experimental study on the corrosion susceptibility of Recycled Steel Fiber Reinforced Concrete

Under chloride attack, an important aspect of Recycled Steel Fiber Reinforced Concrete (RSFRC) durability is its corrosion resistance. However, the insufficient knowledge on this domain contributes for a conservative design philosophy, which can compromise the cost competitiveness of RSFRC. In the present work, an experimental program was performed with the aim of assessing the corrosion susceptibility of RSFRC including the characterization of the corrosion resistance of recycled steel fibers (RSF) and the evaluation of the corrosion effects on the post-cracking response of RSFRC. The influence of the small rubber debris attached to the RSF surface was also analyzed by using two distinct pre-treatment methods. The RSF were slightly more susceptible to corrosion than industrialized steel fibers, not sufficient to alter significantly the post-cracking resistance of RSFRC. The low amount of small rubber debris attached to RSF surface had a negligible influence in their corrosion resistance.