Cracking characteristics of reinforced steel fiber concrete beams under short- and long-term loadings

Abstract

In this paper, an analytical method for the prediction of maximum crack width in reinforced steel fiber concrete (SFC) beams under short-term loading is first presented. The method accounts for the enhanced cracking strength, restraint against crack growth, and reduced tensile steel strains due to the presence of steel fibers. Based on a correlation analysis, a semiempirical formula for the long-term crack widths in reinforced SFC beams under sustained loads is also proposed. Tests were carried out on 10 beams to investigate the effect of steel fiber content on the cracking characteristics in both the short- and long-term. The results indicated that the use of steel fibers greatly reduced the maximum crack widths in reinforced concrete beams. Good agreement was generally obtained between the analytical predictions and test results. © 1995.