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Why use fiber-reinforced concrete?

Q. Why use fiber-reinforced concrete?

 

A. Fiber-reinforced concrete (FRC) represents a significant advancement in concrete technology, offering enhanced structural and durability attributes. The primary benefit of using FRC is its ability to mitigate the inherent brittleness of conventional concrete, thereby augmenting its post-cracking behavior. Integrating fibers, whether made of synthetic, steel, or other materials, into the concrete matrix results in a composite material with improved flexural strength, impact resistance, toughness, and fatigue performance. The uniformly dispersed fibers throughout the concrete provide isotropic reinforcement, ensuring a more consistent distribution of stresses and enhanced resistance to localized failures, particularly from drying shrinkage, thermal variations, and repetitive loading. Additionally, FRC's energy absorption capabilities and fatigue endurance make it a preferred choice for designers and builders for specific applications.

 

References: ACI 544.1R

Topics in Concrete: Concrete Fundamentals; Fiber Reinforced Concrete