How Steel Fibers Influence Corrosion Resistance and Flexural Performance in Reinforced Concrete Slabs

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Corrosion remains one of the most significant causes of deterioration in reinforced concrete structures, particularly in coastal regions and environments exposed to moisture and chloride ions. As corrosion progresses, the bond between reinforcing steel and concrete weakens, reducing structural capacity, accelerating cracking, and increasing maintenance costs. Steel fiber reinforced concrete (SFRC) has attracted considerable attention because of its ability to improve crack control, toughness, and flexural performance. However, the widespread distribution of steel fibers within the concrete matrix also raises important questions regarding their corrosion behavior and long-term structural performance. This experimental study investigates how corrosion affects reinforced concrete slabs with and without steel fibers, providing valuable evidence that helps engineers better understand the durability, residual strength, and practical applicability of SFRC in aggressive service environments.

Bibliographic Information

Item Information
Article Title Experimental study on strength reduction due to corrosion in reinforced concrete slabs with and without steel fibers
Authors Hnin Hnin Kyu and Khin Su Su Htwe
Journal Innovation in Engineering
Volume & Issue Volume 2, Issue 1
Publication Year 2025
Pages 57–72
DOI https://doi.org/10.58712/ie.v2i1.21
Publisher Researcher and Lecturer Society
License Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International (CC BY 4.0)

1. Research Background

  • Corrosion is a major cause of reinforced concrete deterioration. The corrosion of embedded reinforcing steel reduces structural integrity, service life, durability, and load-carrying capacity, making it one of the most critical challenges affecting reinforced concrete infrastructure worldwide.
  • Environmental exposure accelerates structural degradation. Concrete structures located in coastal regions or humid environments are particularly vulnerable because chloride ingress and moisture promote electrochemical corrosion of reinforcing steel, leading to cracking, spalling, and progressive structural damage.
  • Steel fibers have become increasingly popular in structural concrete. Modern construction applications frequently incorporate steel fibers to improve tensile capacity, ductility, crack resistance, toughness, and overall structural durability in slabs, industrial floors, precast elements, and tunnel linings.
  • The corrosion behavior of steel fiber reinforced concrete remains insufficiently understood. Although numerous studies have investigated corrosion in conventional reinforced concrete beams and slabs, relatively few have examined how distributed steel fibers influence corrosion development and residual structural performance.
  • Understanding fiber corrosion is becoming increasingly important. Since steel fibers are distributed throughout the concrete matrix rather than concentrated as conventional reinforcement, their presence may influence corrosion behavior differently from traditional reinforcing bars, requiring dedicated experimental investigation.
  • The relationship between corrosion and flexural performance requires further clarification. While steel fibers are known to improve crack control under normal conditions, their effectiveness after prolonged corrosion exposure remains an important engineering question for assessing long-term structural reliability.
  • The study addresses a significant research gap. Rather than focusing solely on corrosion progression or mechanical performance independently, the research experimentally compares corrosion development, flexural strength reduction, and crack behavior between conventional reinforced concrete slabs and steel fiber reinforced concrete slabs subjected to accelerated corrosion.
  • The findings contribute to durability assessment of existing infrastructure. By evaluating residual flexural capacity after corrosion, the study provides practical evidence that may assist engineers in assessing existing reinforced concrete slabs exposed to aggressive service environments.

2. Research Objectives

  • To experimentally evaluate the influence of corrosion on the flexural strength of reinforced concrete slabs with and without steel fibers.
  • To compare the corrosion behavior of conventional reinforced concrete (RC) slabs and steel fiber reinforced concrete (SFRC) slabs subjected to accelerated corrosion.
  • To investigate whether the addition of steel fibers influences corrosion progression within reinforced concrete slabs.
  • To examine the effects of corrosion on crack development, structural behavior, and residual flexural performance after long-term exposure.
  • To improve understanding of the practical applicability of steel fiber reinforced concrete in corrosive environments by comparing its structural performance with conventional reinforced concrete.
  • To provide experimental evidence that supports durability assessment and maintenance planning for reinforced concrete structures exposed to chloride-induced corrosion.

3. Why This Research Matters

  • Supports more durable concrete infrastructure. Understanding how corrosion affects steel fiber reinforced concrete helps engineers design structures capable of maintaining satisfactory structural performance under aggressive environmental conditions.
  • Improves engineering knowledge of corrosion mechanisms. The study provides experimental evidence on how distributed steel fibers influence corrosion development compared with conventional reinforcing systems.
  • Enhances structural design decisions. The findings assist structural engineers in evaluating the benefits and limitations of incorporating steel fibers into reinforced concrete slabs intended for long-term service.
  • Supports sustainable infrastructure management. Better understanding of residual structural capacity after corrosion contributes to more informed maintenance planning, rehabilitation strategies, and service-life assessment of existing reinforced concrete structures.
  • Provides practical value for civil engineering applications. The comparison between conventional RC and SFRC slabs offers useful guidance for selecting reinforcement strategies in buildings, bridges, industrial floors, and other concrete structures exposed to corrosive environments.
  • Advances durability research. By simultaneously evaluating corrosion level, flexural strength reduction, and crack propagation, the research provides a more comprehensive understanding of structural performance than studies focusing on a single parameter.
  • Contributes to safer infrastructure. Reliable information regarding the residual performance of corroded reinforced concrete slabs supports more accurate structural evaluation and contributes to safer engineering practice throughout the service life of concrete infrastructure.

4. Research Methodology

  • Research Type

    The study employed an experimental laboratory investigation to evaluate how corrosion influences the structural performance of reinforced concrete slabs with and without steel fibers. A comparative approach was adopted to examine differences in corrosion behavior, flexural strength reduction, and crack development between conventional reinforced concrete (RC) slabs and steel fiber reinforced concrete (SFRC) slabs after long-term accelerated corrosion exposure.

  • Materials

    Ordinary Portland Cement (Type I) was used as the primary binder together with natural river sand as fine aggregate and river shingle as coarse aggregate. The concrete mixture was designed according to ACI 211 recommendations to achieve a target compressive strength of 28 MPa after 28 days of curing.

    Hooked-end steel fibers with an aspect ratio of 65, a length of 35 mm, a diameter of 0.55 mm, and a tensile strength of 1050 MPa were incorporated into the SFRC specimens at a volume fraction of 1%, representing a dosage commonly recommended for structural concrete applications.

  • Experimental Specimens

    Eight reinforced concrete slab specimens were fabricated with identical dimensions of 1400 mm × 400 mm × 100 mm. Four specimens represented conventional reinforced concrete slabs, while four specimens contained steel fiber reinforcement in addition to conventional reinforcing bars.

    Half of the specimens remained uncorroded to establish baseline flexural performance, whereas the remaining specimens underwent accelerated corrosion before flexural testing, enabling direct comparison of structural performance before and after corrosion.

  • Concrete Mix Design and Reinforcement

    The concrete mixture consisted of 330 kg/m³ of cement, 185 kg/m³ of water, 715 kg/m³ of fine aggregate, and 1089 kg/m³ of coarse aggregate. Reinforcing bars with a diameter of 9.55 mm were arranged according to the slab design, with longitudinal reinforcement spaced at 175 mm and transverse reinforcement at 150 mm while maintaining a concrete cover of 20 mm.

  • Specimen Preparation

    Concrete specimens were mixed, cast, and cured following standard laboratory procedures to ensure consistent material quality. Concrete cubes were simultaneously prepared to verify that the designed compressive strength of 28 MPa had been achieved before corrosion testing commenced.

  • Accelerated Corrosion Procedure

    Accelerated corrosion was induced using an electrochemical technique. A 5% sodium chloride (NaCl) electrolyte solution was placed above the reinforcement zone, while a regulated direct-current power supply continuously applied 5 V to accelerate chloride-induced corrosion. The corrosion process continued for approximately 240 days to simulate long-term deterioration under aggressive environmental conditions.

  • Corrosion Monitoring

    Corrosion activity was monitored using the half-cell potential technique standardized in ASTM C876. Corrosion measurements were periodically collected using the Cor-Map method, allowing corrosion probability and corrosion level to be evaluated throughout the exposure period. Half-cell potential values were interpreted according to ASTM probability classifications for active reinforcement corrosion.

  • Flexural Strength Testing

    Following the corrosion exposure period, flexural performance was evaluated using third-point loading in accordance with ASTM C78. During testing, load, deflection, settlement, crack propagation, crack width, and failure behavior were recorded for both corroded and uncorroded specimens.

  • Data Analysis

    Experimental observations focused on comparing corrosion progression, measured corrosion levels, crack characteristics, flexural strength reduction, settlement behavior, and structural failure modes between RC and SFRC slabs. The comparative analysis enabled assessment of the influence of steel fibers on durability and residual structural capacity after corrosion.

5. Key Findings

Steel Fiber Reinforced Concrete Exhibited Higher Measured Corrosion Levels

One of the most notable findings is that steel fiber reinforced concrete slabs experienced higher measured corrosion levels than conventional reinforced concrete slabs during the accelerated corrosion program. Half-cell potential measurements and Cor-Map monitoring indicated that corrosion developed more rapidly in SFRC specimens throughout the 240-day exposure period.

The authors attribute this behavior to the presence of numerous distributed steel fibers throughout the concrete matrix, which increased the exposed metallic surface area. Importantly, the experimental observations suggest that corrosion occurring on steel fibers did not accelerate corrosion of the primary reinforcing bars, indicating that the two corrosion mechanisms behaved differently within the specimens.

Steel Fibers Improved Crack Resistance Before and After Corrosion

Despite exhibiting higher corrosion measurements, SFRC slabs consistently demonstrated superior crack control compared with conventional reinforced concrete slabs. During flexural testing, steel fiber reinforcement effectively limited crack initiation, reduced crack width, and delayed crack propagation under increasing load.

The distributed fibers bridged developing microcracks and transferred tensile stresses across cracked regions, allowing the slabs to maintain better structural continuity throughout loading. This crack-bridging mechanism remained beneficial even after prolonged corrosion exposure.

Corrosion Reduced Flexural Capacity in Both Structural Systems

Accelerated corrosion resulted in measurable reductions in flexural strength for both conventional reinforced concrete slabs and steel fiber reinforced concrete slabs. Corrosion weakened the interaction between concrete and steel reinforcement, leading to decreased structural capacity and earlier failure under flexural loading.

Although both structural systems experienced strength degradation, the experiments confirmed that corrosion alters not only ultimate load capacity but also overall structural behavior during loading, including increased deflection and earlier crack development.

Steel Fiber Reinforced Concrete Maintained Better Overall Structural Performance

An important outcome of the study is that the presence of steel fibers continued to provide structural advantages despite the higher measured corrosion levels. Throughout the flexural tests, SFRC slabs exhibited smaller crack widths, improved load distribution, and better resistance to crack propagation than conventional reinforced concrete slabs.

These observations indicate that the mechanical contribution of steel fibers remained effective even after corrosion exposure, enabling SFRC specimens to preserve structural integrity more successfully during flexural loading than conventional reinforced concrete slabs.

Corrosion Changed Failure Characteristics of Reinforced Concrete Slabs

Experimental observations revealed that corrosion significantly influenced failure behavior. Corroded specimens developed larger deflections, experienced earlier settlement under loading, and failed more rapidly than corresponding uncorroded specimens. Conventional reinforced concrete slabs showed more extensive cracking and a more brittle failure pattern after corrosion.

Although corrosion also reduced the performance of SFRC slabs, their crack-control capability delayed deterioration during loading and contributed to more stable structural behavior compared with conventional reinforced concrete specimens.

The Experimental Results Support the Practical Use of Steel Fibers in Reinforced Concrete Slabs

The overall findings demonstrate that steel fibers remain beneficial for reinforced concrete slabs exposed to corrosive environments. While distributed fibers increase measurable corrosion activity within the concrete, the experimental evidence indicates that fiber corrosion does not significantly promote corrosion of the main reinforcing bars.

Consequently, the study concludes that steel fiber reinforced concrete can still provide meaningful improvements in flexural performance, crack resistance, and residual structural capacity, making it a practical option for reinforced concrete slabs where durability and long-term service performance are important design considerations.

6. Scientific Contribution

  • Provides experimental evidence on the corrosion behavior of steel fiber reinforced concrete slabs. The study contributes new experimental data comparing corrosion progression in conventional reinforced concrete (RC) slabs and steel fiber reinforced concrete (SFRC) slabs subjected to identical accelerated corrosion conditions, helping clarify how distributed steel fibers influence corrosion development.
  • Advances understanding of the relationship between corrosion and structural performance. Rather than evaluating corrosion or mechanical behavior independently, the research investigates how corrosion affects flexural strength, crack propagation, and residual structural capacity simultaneously, providing a more comprehensive assessment of reinforced concrete durability.
  • Demonstrates that higher corrosion activity does not necessarily indicate poorer structural performance. Although SFRC slabs exhibited higher measured corrosion levels, the experiments showed that they maintained superior crack control and better flexural behavior than conventional RC slabs. This finding provides valuable insight into interpreting corrosion measurements in steel fiber reinforced concrete.
  • Clarifies the role of steel fibers during corrosion. The experimental observations indicate that corrosion occurring on distributed steel fibers did not significantly contribute to the corrosion of the primary reinforcing bars. This improves understanding of corrosion mechanisms in hybrid reinforcement systems.
  • Strengthens engineering knowledge regarding residual flexural capacity. The comparison between corroded and uncorroded specimens provides practical evidence regarding the remaining structural performance of reinforced concrete slabs after prolonged corrosion exposure, supporting structural evaluation and rehabilitation planning.
  • Supports future durability assessment of reinforced concrete structures. The experimental methodology and findings provide a useful reference for engineers and researchers investigating corrosion-resistant structural systems and evaluating the long-term performance of reinforced concrete incorporating steel fibers.

7. Industrial Implications

  • Supports more durable structural design. Engineers designing reinforced concrete slabs for aggressive environments can use the findings to better understand the advantages and limitations of incorporating steel fibers into structural concrete.
  • Improves maintenance planning. Knowledge of residual flexural capacity after corrosion can assist infrastructure owners in evaluating existing reinforced concrete structures and prioritizing inspection, repair, or rehabilitation activities.
  • Enhances crack control in structural applications. The superior crack resistance demonstrated by SFRC slabs suggests potential benefits for structures requiring improved serviceability, including industrial floors, bridge decks, parking structures, tunnels, and marine infrastructure.
  • Supports sustainable infrastructure management. Improved crack control and retained structural performance may contribute to longer service life, reduced repair frequency, and more efficient use of construction materials throughout the infrastructure lifecycle.
  • Provides guidance for durability-based engineering decisions. The results enable structural engineers to balance corrosion behavior with mechanical performance when selecting reinforcement systems for concrete structures exposed to chloride-rich environments.
  • Contributes to structural assessment practices. The experimental observations provide practical reference data that may assist consultants and structural inspectors when evaluating reinforced concrete slabs affected by corrosion.
  • Supports modern engineering practice. Integrating corrosion monitoring with structural performance evaluation contributes to more comprehensive durability assessment strategies consistent with current infrastructure asset management approaches.

8. Research Limitations

  • The experimental investigation was conducted using a relatively limited number of laboratory specimens. Although sufficient for comparative evaluation, additional specimens would improve statistical confidence and further verify the observed performance trends.
  • The study employed an accelerated electrochemical corrosion technique using a constant electrical voltage. While this approach efficiently simulates corrosion, actual field exposure may involve more complex environmental conditions and variable corrosion rates.
  • Only one type of hooked-end steel fiber with a single dosage (1% by volume) was investigated. Different fiber geometries, material properties, or fiber contents may produce different corrosion and mechanical responses.
  • The concrete mixture was designed for a target compressive strength of 28 MPa. The influence of higher-strength concrete, alternative cementitious materials, or different mix compositions was outside the scope of the investigation.
  • The research focused primarily on flexural behavior after corrosion. Other important structural responses, including shear capacity, fatigue resistance, impact performance, and long-term serviceability, were not evaluated.
  • The study concentrated on laboratory testing rather than field validation. Long-term monitoring of actual structures exposed to natural environmental conditions would provide additional evidence regarding the durability of steel fiber reinforced concrete in practical applications.

9. Future Research Opportunities

  • Investigate the long-term corrosion behavior of steel fiber reinforced concrete under natural environmental exposure rather than accelerated laboratory conditions.
  • Evaluate the influence of different steel fiber types, geometries, aspect ratios, and volume fractions on corrosion resistance and structural performance.
  • Study the combined effects of corrosion and cyclic loading, fatigue loading, seismic loading, or impact loading on steel fiber reinforced concrete structures.
  • Compare the performance of steel fibers with alternative fiber reinforcement systems, including stainless steel fibers, basalt fibers, polypropylene fibers, glass fibers, and hybrid fiber combinations.
  • Investigate the effectiveness of supplementary cementitious materials, corrosion inhibitors, or protective surface treatments in reducing corrosion within steel fiber reinforced concrete.
  • Develop numerical simulation models capable of predicting corrosion progression, crack propagation, and residual flexural capacity of steel fiber reinforced concrete slabs throughout their service life.
  • Conduct full-scale structural experiments involving beams, bridge decks, flat slabs, and other structural elements to validate laboratory observations under realistic engineering conditions.
  • Examine the life-cycle performance and economic benefits of steel fiber reinforced concrete by integrating durability assessment with maintenance cost and service-life prediction.
  • Investigate the interaction between corrosion, bond strength, and reinforcement-concrete interface characteristics to better understand deterioration mechanisms in hybrid reinforcement systems.
  • Evaluate the applicability of advanced monitoring technologies, such as embedded corrosion sensors, digital structural health monitoring systems, and non-destructive evaluation techniques, for continuous assessment of steel fiber reinforced concrete structures.

10. Potential for Public Policy Citation (Overton)

This article demonstrates moderate potential for citation in public policy documents because it addresses one of the most persistent challenges in infrastructure management: maintaining the durability and structural safety of reinforced concrete structures exposed to corrosive environments. Corrosion of reinforcing steel represents a major economic burden for governments and infrastructure owners, making experimental evidence on durability enhancement directly relevant to engineering decision-making.

The findings may provide useful technical references for organizations responsible for developing guidelines related to reinforced concrete durability, bridge maintenance, infrastructure rehabilitation, and service-life assessment. In particular, the experimental comparison between conventional reinforced concrete and steel fiber reinforced concrete offers practical evidence that can support durability-oriented engineering recommendations and long-term asset management strategies.

The research may also contribute to technical discussions concerning infrastructure resilience, sustainable construction practices, and lifecycle management of concrete structures. Although the study focuses on laboratory-scale experiments rather than nationwide implementation or economic policy analysis, its results can serve as supporting scientific evidence for future technical standards, engineering manuals, and infrastructure maintenance frameworks.

Overall, the article has moderate potential for future citation in government reports, engineering guidelines, infrastructure maintenance manuals, durability assessment frameworks, and sustainable construction strategies where scientifically validated information regarding corrosion-resistant reinforced concrete systems is required.

11. Who Should Read This Paper?

  • Researchers working in reinforced concrete structures, structural durability, corrosion engineering, and construction materials.
  • Structural engineers involved in the design, assessment, and rehabilitation of reinforced concrete infrastructure.
  • Civil engineers responsible for bridge engineering, building structures, transportation infrastructure, and marine construction.
  • Graduate students studying structural engineering, construction materials, concrete technology, and infrastructure durability.
  • Infrastructure owners and asset managers responsible for maintenance planning and service-life evaluation of reinforced concrete facilities.
  • Engineering consultants conducting structural inspections, condition assessments, and rehabilitation planning.
  • Construction professionals interested in steel fiber reinforced concrete applications and durability-based structural design.
  • Government agencies and policymakers developing technical guidelines related to reinforced concrete durability and infrastructure maintenance.
  • Educators teaching reinforced concrete design, structural materials, durability engineering, and construction technology.

12. Final Thoughts

This experimental study provides a valuable contribution to the understanding of corrosion behavior in reinforced concrete slabs incorporating steel fibers. Rather than considering corrosion measurements alone, the research evaluates how corrosion influences structural performance by examining flexural strength, crack development, and failure behavior under controlled laboratory conditions. The comparison between conventional reinforced concrete and steel fiber reinforced concrete offers meaningful insight into the advantages and limitations associated with distributed steel fiber reinforcement.

An important outcome of the investigation is the observation that higher measured corrosion activity in steel fiber reinforced concrete does not necessarily correspond to poorer structural performance. Although corrosion levels were greater in the steel fiber specimens, these slabs consistently demonstrated improved crack control and superior flexural behavior before and after corrosion compared with conventional reinforced concrete. This distinction provides a more balanced understanding of durability assessment and highlights the importance of evaluating both corrosion indicators and mechanical performance together.

Overall, the study supplies practical experimental evidence that can support structural design, durability assessment, and maintenance planning for reinforced concrete infrastructure exposed to aggressive environments. Its findings also establish a useful foundation for future investigations involving alternative fiber systems, long-term field exposure, advanced monitoring technologies, and predictive durability models aimed at extending the service life of concrete structures.

Suggested Citation

UNP–Teknomekanik Style

Kyu HH, Htwe KSS. Experimental study on strength reduction due to corrosion in reinforced concrete slabs with and without steel fibers. Innovation in Engineering. 2025;2(1):57–72. DOI: https://doi.org/10.58712/ie.v2i1.21

APA (7th Edition)

Kyu, H. H., & Htwe, K. S. S. (2025). Experimental study on strength reduction due to corrosion in reinforced concrete slabs with and without steel fibers. Innovation in Engineering, 2(1), 57–72. https://doi.org/10.58712/ie.v2i1.21

IEEE Style

H. H. Kyu and K. S. S. Htwe, "Experimental study on strength reduction due to corrosion in reinforced concrete slabs with and without steel fibers," Innovation in Engineering, vol. 2, no. 1, pp. 57–72, 2025. doi: 10.58712/ie.v2i1.21

Harvard Style

Kyu, H.H. & Htwe, K.S.S., 2025. Experimental study on strength reduction due to corrosion in reinforced concrete slabs with and without steel fibers. Innovation in Engineering, 2(1), pp.57–72. Available at: https://doi.org/10.58712/ie.v2i1.21

Vancouver Style

Kyu HH, Htwe KSS. Experimental study on strength reduction due to corrosion in reinforced concrete slabs with and without steel fibers. Innovation in Engineering. 2025;2(1):57–72. Available from: https://doi.org/10.58712/ie.v2i1.21

Chicago (Author–Date)

Kyu, Hnin Hnin, and Khin Su Su Htwe. 2025. "Experimental Study on Strength Reduction Due to Corrosion in Reinforced Concrete Slabs with and Without Steel Fibers." Innovation in Engineering 2 (1): 57–72. https://doi.org/10.58712/ie.v2i1.21

MLA (9th Edition)

Kyu, Hnin Hnin, and Khin Su Su Htwe. "Experimental Study on Strength Reduction Due to Corrosion in Reinforced Concrete Slabs with and Without Steel Fibers." Innovation in Engineering, vol. 2, no. 1, 2025, pp. 57–72. https://doi.org/10.58712/ie.v2i1.21

Editorial Note

Editorial Note: This blog post is an independent scholarly review intended for educational and scientific communication purposes. It summarizes and discusses the published article in the author's own words while providing full attribution to the original publication, consistent with the principles of the Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International (CC BY 4.0) license.

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A comprehensive scholarly review of an experimental study investigating corrosion behavior, flexural strength reduction, and crack resistance of reinforced concrete slabs with and without steel fibers under accelerated corrosion conditions.

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Discoverability

  • Primary Category: Civil Engineering
  • Secondary Category: Structural Engineering
  • Research Area: Reinforced Concrete
  • Engineering Topic: Steel Fiber Reinforced Concrete (SFRC)
  • Methodology: Experimental Research
  • Keywords for Google Scholar: corrosion in reinforced concrete, steel fiber reinforced concrete, accelerated corrosion, flexural strength, crack resistance, durability of concrete structures.
  • Target Audience: Researchers, graduate students, structural engineers, civil engineers, consultants, infrastructure managers, policymakers, and educators.

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