Basis of a finite-element simulation tool to predict the flexural behavior of SFRC prisms

The fiber pull-out response of a steel fiber, both straight and end-hooked, embedded in a concrete matrix has been widely investigated in the past. Attention was given to the influence of the type of fiber, the concrete strength and the inclination of the pull-out force. Hooked-end fibers need more energy to be pulled out of the concrete and thus are preferably used in steel fiber reinforced concrete (SFRC) for structural purposes. Based on this single fiber pull-out behavior, numerous analytical and numerical methods are verified with experimental results of three- or four-point bending tests on small prisms. In this paper, a new approach to characterize the non-linear bending behavior of steel fiber reinforced concrete is proposed. Finite element (FE) analyses were conducted on a small prism-model, containing randomly generated small embedded reinforcement elements, which material properties are based on the pull-out behavior derived from earlier research activities. In this stage, attention was also given to the orientation of the fibers. Eventually, a good correlation was found between the numerical and experimental results and the fine-tuned model was then used to perform a large number of numerical bending tests. In that way, the scatter of the parameters that describe the non-linear bending behavior of small steel fiber reinforced concrete prisms was estimated in a much faster way than by experimental testing. These parameters are usually needed to evaluate the structural behavior of SFRC elements according to current design guidelines for SFRC

Bolt bearing strength of thin-walled ferrocement

ACI Structural Journal984563-571ASTJ

Pull-out work of steel fibers from cementitious composites: Analytical investigation

The main objective of this study is to provide a parametric evaluation of the pull-out work of smooth steel fibers embedded in cementitious matrices. The various parameters controlling the behavior of the bond stress versus slip relationship are analyzed; their effects on the entire pull-out load versus slip response and the corresponding pull-out energy up to full debonding and/or up to total pull-out are investigated. Also discussed are the effects of the fiber geometric parameters such as fiber diameter, length, and aspect ratio. Finally, a brief section addresses the relation between pull-out work and the critical strain energy release rate Gc, a fracture mechanics variable, which can be calculated if the P-[Delta] curve is known.Peer Reviewedhttp://deepblue.lib.umich.edu/bitstream/2027.42/29584/1/0000673.pd