Title:
Effectiveness of Macro Synthetic Fibers to Control Cracking in Composite Metal Decks
Author(s):
Salah Altoubat and Klaus-Alexander Rieder
Publication:
Symposium Paper
Volume:
319
Issue:
Appears on pages(s):
3.1-3.14
Keywords:
Macro Synthetic Fibers, Composite Slabs, Steel Deck, Restrained Shrinkage, Creep, Crack width
DOI:
10.14359/51700852
Date:
6/1/2017
Abstract:
This paper presents results of an ongoing experimental program to study the effectiveness of macro
synthetic fibers to control cracking in composite metal slabs. Both short- and long-term performance is being
investigated in this experimental program. Two types of experiments for composite slabs on corrugated steel deck
are conducted: restrained shrinkage tests and large-scale loaded composite continuous slabs. The restrained
shrinkage test provides data on crack width caused by shrinkage, while the large- scale continuous slab was intended
to monitor the crack width development across the middle support caused by the load, shrinkage and creep. The
crack width measurements of both experiments indicate that the investigated fiber can provide comparable
performance in terms of long-term crack control to conventional steel mesh reinforced concrete specified by the
standards. Crack width measurements in the restrained shrinkage test over a period of 250 days of drying suggest
that macro synthetic fibers at the minimum dosage specified by the ANSI/SDI can provide similar crack control as
the minimum steel mesh. Long-term monitoring of load-induced cracking in the slab at the middle support over a
period of up to 5 years indicate that the crack width for both reinforcing systems (fibers and steel mesh) increased
asymptotically with loading time and stabilized thereafter. The results indicated that creep across the crack occurred
for both reinforcing systems suggesting that the creep deformation across the crack is not only related to the type of
reinforcing materials and the creep of the fiber/cement paste interface but also by creep of concrete section in
compression.