Shear behaviour of steel-fibre-reinforced concrete simply supported beams

Abstract

The structural behaviour of steel-fibre-reinforced concrete beams was studied using non-linear finite-element analysis and existing experimental data. The work aim was to examine the potential of using steel fibres to reduce the amount of conventional transverse steel reinforcement without compromising ductility and strength requirements set out in design codes. To achieve this, the spacing between shear links was increased while steel fibres were added as a substitute. Parametric studies were subsequently carried out and comparisons were also made with BS EN 1992-1-1 predictions. It was concluded that the addition of steel fibres enhanced the load-carrying capacity and also altered the failure mode from a brittle shear mode to a flexural ductile one. The provision of fibres also improved ductility.However, interestingly it was found that adding excessive amounts of fibres led to a less-ductile response. Overall, the study confirmed the potential for fibres to compensate for a reduction in conventional shear reinforcement.energy absorption of the control specimen M rd bending moment capacity P lateral monotonic load P BMC load calculated based on bending moment capacity P max load-carrying capacity P max,EXP load-carrying capacity based on experimental data P max,DES load-carrying capacity based on current design guidelines P max,FEA load-carrying capacity based on finite-element analysis P max,0 load-carrying capacity of the control specimen P sc load calculated based on shear capacity P u ultimate load P y load at yield P y,0 load at yield of the control specimen SI stirrup spacing increased V f volume fraction of the fibres V rd shear capacity ä y deflection at yield ä u ultimate deflection ì ductility ratio ì, 0 ductility ratio of the control specimen

A simplified finite element model for assessing steel fibre reinforced concrete structural performance

“…From the comparisons, it can be seen that the FE model presently employed was capable of providing accurate predictions for both modes of structural failure. As part of the current research project, further studies were carried out on the shear responses of SFRC simply-supported as discussed elsewhere [17]. Considering the findings in the preceding two sections, it can also be concluded that the FE model was successful in predicting the behaviour at both material and structural levels.…”

“…The structural configurations considered herein include a wide range of SFRC specimens ranging from simply-supported SFRC beams with no conventional reinforcement to more complex (statically indeterminate, consisting of more than one structural elements and subjected to a combination of axial and lateral loading) SFRC structural configurations fully reinforced. It should be pointed out that although some of the case studies are presented herein for the first time, others have formed the basis for parametric investigations carried out recently assessing the effect of the fibre-content on RC structural responses [14][15][16][17][18][19][20]. The reason for presenting all the cases in the present article is to show the objectivity of the numerical model employed.…”

Statically-Indeterminate SFRC Columns under Cyclic Loads

“…Thus, the calibration work was crucial in order to ascertain the accuracy of the numerical predictions. The generality of the NLFEA model adopted was validated on different SFRC structural configuration such as simply-supported beams (Abbas et al 2014b al. 2014c), in addition to the present continuous column case.…”

Editorial

“…Continuing the theme of enhancing reinforced concrete element performance, Abbas et al (2014) outline a numerical modelling study used to examine the enhanced behaviour of reinforced concrete beams in shear. First, the available concrete constitutive modelling techniques for concrete were introduced.…”