The performance of steel fiber reinforced concrete as structural elements of a seismic resistant three-story low-cost housing using SAP 2000

Abstract

Seismic activity is a looming threat in many regions around the world. Hence, pursuing low-cost housing solutions that can withstand seismic forces while remaining economically viable is critical. This research is motivated by the urgent necessity to create innovative materials and cost-effective design methodologies that can withstand the forces of devastating earthquakes. This study explores the effectiveness of steel fiber reinforced concrete (SFRC) as a structural element in a three-story low-cost housing building. SFRC incorporates small and hooked steel fibers into concrete, improving its mechanical properties, such as tensile strength, toughness, and ductility. This study aims to replace traditional reinforced concrete with SFRC in building columns and beams and assess its seismic performance using Finite Element Method (FEM) analysis conducted through SAP 2000 software. This study conducted experiments using concrete mix samples with different percentages of steel fibers (0%, 0.3%, 0.5%, and 0.7% by weight) and found that the 0.3% SFRC sample exhibited the highest compressive and flexural strength. Four models evaluated the cost-effectiveness of SFRC compared to the control sample with regular concrete. The analysis revealed that Model (3), featuring 250 x 300 mm columns with SFRC, significantly decreased concrete volume and rebar quantity. It resulted in a 13.79% reduction in structural costs compared to the original plan. Overall, the study highlights the potential of SFRC to enhance the mechanical properties of concrete and reduce costs in seismic-resistant construction projects. By incorporating SFRC, engineers can improve buildings' structural stability and performance, particularly in earthquake-prone regions.