Influence of the Type of Fiber on the Structural Response and Design of FRC Slabs
Publication: Journal of Structural Engineering
Volume 142, Issue 9
Abstract
Most codes for the design of fiber-reinforced concrete (FRC) structures are based on experience gained over the years with steel fibers. Recent codes include the possibility of applying the same considerations for FRC structures with plastic fiber. However, the consequences of assuming identical design considerations regardless of the type of fiber is scarcely known in terms of the structural behavior of full-scale elements. The main goal of this paper is to assess the influence of the type of fiber on the performance of full-scale concrete slabs, emphasizing the consequences of using a common design approach. For that, a comparative experimental study was conducted to expose differences regarding crack patterns and load-deflection behavior. Then, finite-element simulations were performed using the constitutive equations from a commonly used model code. The results indicate distinct levels of overestimation of the structural behavior measured experimentally, confirming that specific design considerations are required depending on the type of fiber used. Based on the findings, correction factors are proposed for the design of FRC slabs with each fiber.
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Acknowledgments
The authors wish to express their gratitude for the financial support received through Research Project BIA2010-17478: Construction processes by means of fiber reinforced concretes. The authors thank the ESCOFET S.A. company for its collaboration in the development of the experimental program. The first and second authors acknowledge the grant FI provided by the Comissionat per a Universitats del DIUE de la Generalitat de Catalunya i del Fons Social Europeu and the support of the Departament d’Universitats, Recerca i Societat de la Informació de la Generalitat de Catalunya.
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Published In
Journal of Structural Engineering
Volume 142 • Issue 9 • September 2016
Copyright
© 2016 American Society of Civil Engineers.
History
Received: Jun 10, 2015
Accepted: Jan 12, 2016
Published online: Apr 1, 2016
Published in print: Sep 1, 2016
Discussion open until: Sep 1, 2016
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