Influence of Toughness on the Apparent Cracking Load of Fiber-Reinforced Concrete Slabs
Publication: Journal of Structural Engineering
Volume 132, Issue 12
Abstract
It is widely believed that the onset of flexural cracking in a fiber-reinforced concrete (FRC) slab is governed by the modulus of rupture (MOR) of the concrete matrix and that the peak in load resistance associated with cracking of the concrete matrix in bending is independent of postcracking behavior. This model of flexural resistance underpins most methods of thickness design for concrete slabs-on-grade and other concrete plate elements subject to point loading. The present investigation has demonstrated that the peak in load resistance associated with cracking of a FRC slab in bending cannot be determined as a simple function of the MOR alone. Experimental results have indicated that plasticity in the immediate postcrack range can influence the peak in load resistance associated with cracking, even if the MOR is unchanged. The present results also suggest that the method of structural analysis used to design concrete slabs should be governed by the degree of strain softening or plasticity exhibited by the material in the immediate postcrack range.
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Acknowledgments
The writer gratefully acknowledges the assistance provided for this investigation by Bill Chant and Damien Koen of Cardno P/L, Sydney, John Carter and John Small of the University of Sydney, and Readymix Concrete Ltd. through their representative Dak Baweja.
References
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Information & Authors
Information
Published In
Journal of Structural Engineering
Volume 132 • Issue 12 • December 2006
Pages: 1976 - 1983
Copyright
© 2006 ASCE.
History
Received: Mar 11, 2005
Accepted: Apr 19, 2006
Published online: Dec 1, 2006
Published in print: Dec 2006
Notes
Note. Associate Editor: Yahya C. Kurama
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