Title:
Effects of Steel Fibers on Short Beams Loaded in Shear
Author(s):
Soon-Ho Cho and Yoon-IL Kim
Publication:
Structural Journal
Volume:
100
Issue:
6
Appears on pages(s):
765-774
Keywords:
beam; cracks; fiber-reinforced concrete; flexural strength; high-strength concrete; longitudinal reinforcement; plasticity; shear strength.
DOI:
10.14359/12843
Date:
11/1/2003
Abstract:
Thirty fiber-reinforced concrete beams were tested under various conditions to investigate the influences of steel fibers on cracking and ultimate loads, and deformation and failure characteristics. Variables studied included fiber content, compressive strength of concrete, longitudinal reinforcement ratio, and the presence of vertical shear reinforcement. Several existing methods for estimating flexural or shear resistance were compared and discussed through their prediction of test results. Increased cracking and ultimate loads and improved ductility, largely dependent on the volume fraction of fibers, were observed. The deformation concentrated at one or two major cracks, however, collapsed the beams regardless of the failure mode. Nonetheless, the beams, which failed in a flexural and a shear-flexural mode, did exhibit good ductility. The flexural capacities predicted by the procedure given by ACI Committee 544 were very conservative. The predicted shear capacities using different formulas varied considerably. Specifically, the feasibility of the application of a plastic theory in determining the shear resistance was examined, leading to much promise.