Comparative Evaluation of Mechanical Properties of Fibre-Reinforced Concrete and Approach to Modelling of Bearing Capacity Ground Slab

Abstract

The use of steel fibre-reinforced concrete is becoming gradually widespread in the engineering design of buildings. Typical cases include concrete foundations or floors. The actual design approach is often different. The proposal significantly encompasses the knowledge and range of the material properties of steel fibre-reinforced concrete. This article presents a comprehensive research programme, which has been focused on extensive laboratory testing, in situ testing and advanced numerical modelling using computing models and nonlinear models of concrete. It aims at a comprehensive description of the material properties of concrete, according to the degree of reinforcement, using 8 types of laboratory tests for description. In total, over 74 specified laboratory tests and four slab tests in situ are carried out. Selected evaluated material properties are also provided for the regression curve according to the degree of reinforcement, 0 to 3%. Subsequently, the detailed description of steel fibre is used in advanced modelling of tests of concrete slabs in situ. Numerical models simulate the behaviour of the steel fibre-reinforced concrete base structure in the interaction with the subsoil, where the objective was to verify the total carrying capacity of the slab structure.