The behavior of the concretes and mortars reinforced by metallic fibers wastes as substitution of cement

Abstract The main objective of this work is to study the behavior of the mortar and the concretes obtained by substituting the cement by the metallic fibers wastes. Several materials were carried out by substituting the cement with different amount of fibers (0, 10, 20 and 30 wt %). Mechanical properties of the two obtained materials (mortar and concrete) as flexural and compressive strengths were studied. Physical properties as shrinkage, the swelling effect, loss in mass, slump concretes and porosity were evaluated. However, the addition of 10 wt % of the fibers in the mixtures of the mortar and the concretes is possible, due that its compressive strengths are respectively 40.9 and 27.4 MPa. The environmental risks of the incorporation of the metallic fibers rich in heavy metals (Zn and Cu) into the mixtures were evaluated by leaching tests of the obtained materials. The results indicated a very slight release of the pollutants. The obtained materials have a good performance and they are suitable for use in practice