Application of steel fiber reinforced concrete (SFRC) in beams subjected to shear

Abstract

For the understanding of the shear behavior of steel fiber reinforced concrete beams without stirrups (shear reinforcement), beams were experimentally studied employing bending tests. The analyzed parameters were two classes of compressive strength (30 MPa and 45 MPa) and three dosages of fibers (40 kg/m³, 60 kg/m³ and 80 kg/m³), in addition to the reference trace. An analytical comparison of the experimental results with calculation models from normative regulations and scientific papers was studied to predict the failure force of the beams. The results showed gains in the ultimate shear strength provided by steel fibers, evidencing their great potential against shear stress. The failure mode of the beams was not altered for the dosages of fibers and compressive strength classes studied. However, higher load and deformation capacity was evidenced with an increasing number of fibers and f_c. The model from Brazilian regulation NBR 16935 (ABNT, 2021a) showed excellent results in predicting the failure force of the beams in group C30.