Forta and Steel Fiber Reinforced Lightweight Self-Compacted Concrete: Mechanical Properties and Durability in Sulfate, Acid and Chloride Attack

Abstract This study evaluates the mechanical properties and durability of self-compacting lightweight concrete (SCLC) made with LECA lightweight aggregate with the addition of Forta and steel fibers in a comprehensive study. For this purpose, mechanical property tests such as compressive strength, flexural strength, and shear strength were performed, and durability indices in 10% magnesium sulfate, sulfuric acid, and chloride environments were studied. The results showed that SCLC structures containing Forta and steel fibers can be produced with a density of 1372–1468 kg/m3. According to the results, when Forta and steel fibers were added, the flexural strength increased by 47.37% and 66.32%, respectively, compared to the design without fibers. In addition, the flexural strength increased by 47 and 41 times with the addition of fibers, respectively. By adding Forta and steel fibers, the shear capacity of concrete increased by 31.05% and 26.12%, respectively, and the shear failure of the samples changed from brittle and brittle to ductile. Regarding durability indicators, the addition of Forta fibers and steel fibers can increase water absorption by 25.25% and 8.78%, respectively. After 750 days in a sulfate environment, samples containing Forta and steel fibers experienced a smaller decrease in compressive strength of 17.7% and 20.8%, respectively, while the sample without fibers showed a decrease in compressive strength of 33.2%. Also, the use of fibers reduced the damage against sulfuric acid attack, such that the control sample experienced a decrease in compressive strength of 19.92% after exposure to this environment, while in the samples with 0.6% Forta and steel fibers, this reduction was 17.10% and 15.30%, respectively.