Finite-element modelling of SFRC members in bending Available to Purchase

This paper is aimed at understanding the mechanics of steel-fibre-reinforced concrete (SFRC) in the context of designing for structural applications. It focuses on the testing procedures adopted to obtain the tensile response of SFRC that are used in finite-element models of structural elements submitted to bending. Modelling of standardised material test specimens enabled validating the assumptions used in inverse analysis to determine the post-cracking σ–w response from bending tests on notched beams and round panels. The effect of fibre orientation, the testing procedure and the validity of standardised test are discussed. Modelling of SFRC structural beams of different scales, shapes, with and without conventional reinforcement, emphasises the importance of using non-uniform material properties within the model to correctly predict the member stiffness and strength, and the crack opening evolution. The paper confirmed that the integration point spacing must be used as the reference length for converting σ–w post-cracking response to σ−ε material properties for carrying out finite-element analysis. Moreover this approach is not affected by the element size and member depth.