Question

Discuss the effects of carbon content on the properties of steel. What is the percentage of carbon content recommended for structural steel? (1 mark)

Give one situation where you would consider using fiber reinforced concrete instead of normal reinforced concrete. (1 mark)

Answer 1

Solution 1:

Effects of carbon content on the properties of steel:

• The main constituents of steel are iron and carbon.
• The strength and hardness increases with increase in carbon content in steel.
• The brittleness of steel increases with increase in carbon content.
• The ductility, toughness and weldability of steel decreases with increase in carbon content.
• The plasticity and toughness increases at lower carbon content.

Percentage of carbon content recommended for structural steel:

• Structural steel is a type of steel used for making construction materials of different shapes.
• Percentage of carbon content recommended for structural steel is between 0.2 to 0.27%.

Solution 2:

• Fiber reinforced concrete consist of fibrous materials to increase structural strength.
• Fibers include steel fibers, glass fibres, synthetic fibres and natural fibres.
• Fiber reinforced concrete can be used instead of normal reinforced concrete in case of Tunnel lining and Slope Stabilization.
• Fiber reinforced concrete eliminates the need of scaffolding and mesh reinforcement and can be used to line underground openings and rock slope stabilisation.