The research activities investigate the behavior of concrete flat slabs with steel fibers as only reinforcement without any additional steel bars. For this purpose, small- and large-scale experiments were conducted on SFRC plates to assess their load-carrying capacity. Finite element investigations allowed for a parameter study on various influences on the ultimate load. Eventually, a calculation model based on yield line theory is presented for structural design purposes. In this context, a safety factor for the tensile strength of the SFRC is derived based on a semi-probabilistic safety-design.
According to a current design philosophy, general application of fibers as only reinforcement would be limited to special configurations allowing a dense column grid and reduced opening sizes.
Julien Michels
bearing capacity experimental analysis fiber orientation finite element analysis flat slabs safety factor steel fiber reinforced concrete yield line theory