Dramix®

Dramix® economic concrete reinforcement for safe floors on piles

Test, specify and build

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Table of contents
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8 INTRODUCTION

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03 Introduction
04 Application field My aim is to familiarize the reader with the behaviour of
04 Materials steel fibre reinforced conrete, to draw his attention to the
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specific characteristics of this product, the importance of the
09 System performance, calculation of Md
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performance described by the EN standard and propose a
10 Calculation of Mu relevant technical solution to reach together a better quality
and safety on each job site.
PK1 12 Punching PK3
This brochure is meant primarily for those who are active in
12 Execution details

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7 the construction market (investors, contractors, designers)
13 Quality examinations and more specially in the field of industrial floors.
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13 Standard specification text Initially, floors were applied either plainly or reinforced with
Anne Hoekstra conventional reinforcing steel welded meshes.
14 Bibliography
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FB1e
Technical Manager Flooring
It was, however, only in the early seventies that the first
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experimental work was undertaken with Steel Fibre Reinforced
Concrete (SFRC).

PK1 SFRC
PK3is defined as concrete, containing discontinuous steel
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fibres, which are homogeneously mixed into the concrete.

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Since then, SFRC has been used extensively in most of
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the world’s industrialized nations, for a wide variety of

applications. Uses of SFRC in industrial floor applications
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vary from traditional saw cut floors, over jointless floors, and
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to most structural floor on pile application.
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Multiple research studies and tests on the behaviour of steel

PK1 PK3reinforced concrete have been carried out in recent
fibre
years in various countries. They have greatly contributed to a

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better characterization and understanding of the behaviour of
this material. They have also contributed to the specification
of minimum performance requirements for each type of
application.
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During the period 2003 – 2007, a Dutch expert commission

focused on the materials, test methods, design principles and
PK1 execution
PK3 controls for pile supported steel fibre floors. This
has resulted in the CUR 111 recommendation document.

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75 75 150
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 Depending on the design results,the recommended fibre types are:
1. APPLICATION FIELD
Dramix® RC-65/60-BN:
This document discusses test methods, design and execution for a pile – suspended concrete industrial floor, Dramix® Easy Mix
reinforced with Dramix® steel fibres. Dramix® Hi Perform
This guideline can only be used for: Dramix® RC-80/60-BN:
Dramix® Hi Perform
- Industrial floors and not for other applications, such as pile-suspended rafts for residential or other use.
- Dramix® steel fibre reinforcement, and not for other steel fibres, synthetic fibres or traditional mesh reinforcement. Specific product data sheets are available on request
Want to know more about:
- Product characteristics
- Approvals
2. MATERIALS
- Features and benefits
- How to use
2.1. Concrete:
Download info sheets at:
Concrete quality in accordance with EN 206, produced and delivered according to local concrete standards: www.bekaert.com/building
- Minimum Concrete Quality: C20/25 2.3. Steel fibre reinforced concrete: CE info sheet
- Maximum Concrete Quality: C30/37
The performance of a Dramix® reinforced concrete is mainly determined by following characteristics:
The grading of aggregates will be in accordance with the applicable standards. The concrete composition must be
engineered in order to obtain homogeneous distribution and good finish ability. For detailed information, consult our - The performance of the fibre in the matrix (geometry, length/diameter ratio, method of anchorage, tensile strength,…)
product data sheets and our recommendations on handling, dosing and mixing. - The performance of the concrete matrix
- The amount of fibres in the mix
2.2. Steel fibres:
In order to define the steel fibre concrete specification, a three steps analysis must be made.
Dramix steel fibres are designed especially for the reinforcement of concrete. They are made of prime quality
®

hard-drawn steel wire to ensure high tensile strength at extremely close tolerances. Minimum dosage for a needed fibre overlap.
1
Provided with hooked ends, they deliver optimum anchorage.
Minimum total fibre length.
2
Minimum fibre requirements are:
Dosage based on performance.
3
1 Fibres with CE- marking system 1, According to EN 14889, a minimum
steel fibre for structural use performance level must be reached.
(conform EN 14889-1-2006) As such for every fibre type a minimum
For detailed info, please request our CE info sheet. 2.3.1. Minimum dosage based on minimum overlap:
dosage is required to have CE marking
system 1.
Minimum fibre overlap:
Download info sheet at:
For structurally designed applications, the average distance between steel fibres (s) should be lower than 0,4 lf in
www.bekaert.com/building
order to ensure a minimum overlap between fibres.
CE info sheet
s=3 πxdf
2
x lf
4ρf
2 Fibres out of drawn wire, with a tensile strength of steel wire > 1000 MPa min.
Where :
3 Dimensional tolerances in accordance with EN 14889-1.

4 Best anchorage system : hooked ends for optimum anchorage. - lf is the length of the fibre
- df is the equivalent diameter of the fibre
- ρf is the fibre percentage
5 Minimum fibre length : 2 times the maximum coarse aggregate size.

6 Maximum fibre length : 2/3 of the hose diameter of the pumping machine. s should be lower than 0,4 lf to ensure a minimum overlap

7 Glued fibres for improved and risk-free pump ability and mixing. The formula and “s” limits are taken from the thesis of D.C Mc Kee, University of Illinois, Urbana 1969:
“The properties of an expansive mortar reinforced with random wire fibres.”

4 5
 2.3.3. Dosage based on performance: residual strength
Fig. 1: Minimum dosage based on minimum overlap
In order to establish the material properties, test EN 14 651 describes a notch three-point bending test which is the
S basis for the stress-strain diagram for steel fibre conrete.
S S 2

S lf
S

S 2

Aspect ratio (lf/df) 40 45 50 55 60 65 Resulting from this test, a load displacement curve shows the different residual forces measured for predefined crack
mouth openings.
Min. dosage when A
61 48 39 32 27 23 F
s<0,4 lf mm, kg/m3
F
Minimum dosages of steel fibres based on different aspect ratios and steel fibre spacing

2.3.2. Minimum dosage based on minimum total fibre length: 30

δ δ1 δII

75
In addition to the requirement of the minimum fibre overlap, Bekaert recommends a minimum steel fibre length of

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6700 meter/m³ concrete. This fibre length ensures the minimum network effect to provide a specific multi-crack
process and so the redistribution of the loads through the crack-bridging steel.

75
30 A
Minimum kg/m according
3
Total fibre 25 250 250 25 150
Aspect ratio: I/d (length/diameter) I D fibres/kg
to min. overlap length 500

50 48 kg/m3 50 1 2.800 6.720 section AA

65 35 kg/m3 60 0,9 3.200 6.720 F [ kN ]

detail A
Example to reach three criteria: CE-minimum performance level, Mc Kee “2.3.1.” & minimum total fibre length “2.3.2.”

25+1
The crack patterns observed on different tests explain the importance of the total fibre network.

FFl F kN Fl = load at the first crack CMODl

1 FR1 = load at CMOD1.
CMOD1 = the crack mouth opening displacement at 0,5 mm
CMOD2 = the crack mouth opening displacement at 1,5 mm FR2 = load at CMOD2.
F
FR,1
R,1 CMOD3 = the crack mouth opening displacement at 2,5 mm FR3 = load at CMOD3.
CMOD4 = the crack mouth opening displacement at 3,5 mm FR4 = load at CMOD4.

F
FR,2
R,2

FR,3
FR,3

F
FR,4
R,4

CMOD [ mm ]
CMOD mm
0,05
0,05

6 Low fibre network High fibre network: multiple cracking 7 CMOD

CMODL L
CMOD
CMOD = 0.5
= 0,5
1 1
CMOD
CMOD2 2== 1.5
1,5 CMOD
CMOD33==2,5
2.5 CMOD
CMOD = 3.5
4 4 = 3,5
 Why yield-line theory should not be used:
Based on this test, the absolute minimum residual flexural tensile strength is:
1 No information is given on support reactions or deflections.
f(r1) = 4,1 N/mm²
f(r4) = 3,1 N/mm² 2 The adverse effects of pattern loading, such as uplift at piles, are not considered.

minimum residual flexural tensile strength for a C30/37 concrete 3 The design may be unsafe if not all the critical
mechanisms have been investigated.

These values are proposed for a concrete class C30/37, usually specified for a pile-supported floor.
Compressive strengths with a too low or too high strength class may have undesired side effects.
Please contact your local Bekaert representative in order to get the minimum residual values for other concrete classes.
For the same concrete matrix, the performance level is significantly influenced by the fibre type (e.g. the anchorage
type, the aspect ratio (length to diameter) and the fibre dosage. The higher the aspect ratio and fibre content,
the better the performance of the SFRC.
4 The method is only valid when slabs have adequate ductility for the assumed yield lines to develop. It is not
possible to verify whether this is the case since the analysis provides no information on slab deformations.
5 Calculating the bending moments has to be done with the real pile distances. Decreasing “the design center to
center distance” with the pile and/or floor thickness is not allowed.
2.4. Additional mesh or rebar:

Why use the EN 14 651 beam test method and not a round indeterminate plate test:

To determine the performance of SFRC for a floor application, the beam test is much more appropriate than a
round indeterminate plate test.

1 Technical Report TR63 “Guidance for the design of Steel-Fibre-Reinforced concrete” outlines that round
indeterminate plate tests are not covered by standards and are not a suitable method to determine the
fundamental properties of SFRC.

2 In a statically indeterminate plate test, the flexural resistance is not related to the crack width.

3 Results of round plate tests are interpreted using yield line analysis in which the flexural resistance is
assumed to be constant along the yield lines. In reality, the pattern of yield lines varies very much,
and so too the crack width along these yield lines. Therefore the flexural resistance derived from statically
indeterminate plate tests depends heavily on assumptions made in the analysis. The yield stress of the reinforcement is 500 N/mm2. When different, the design must be adapted in line with local
standards.
4 The structural response should be predicted from rigorous material models rather than the other way around.

3. SYSTEM PERFORMANCE CALCULATION OF Md

3.1. Minimum design information:

- Floor layout
- Pile or pile head dimensions
- Spans between piles in x and y direction
- Floor loads
- The edge of the floor field: line or point supported

3.2. Loads:

Design is made for various load situations

- Floor completely and fully loaded

- Fields loaded - unloaded load case
- Point and wheel loads } maximum bending moments to be calculated on top and bottom

The yield lines formed - as well as the total yield line length - in the system test set-up, significantly vary a lot over different test results - Restrained shrinkage
and can therefore not be used to derive a uniform flexural resistance value.

8 9
 m
fftd,3 = design value of the tensile strength at CMOD = 3,5mm
0,37 * FR4
fftd,3 = —————
γm
In view of the relatively small contribution of fftd,1, to the bending moment resistance, it is justified to use the
relation shown in the next figure.

Restrained shrinkage: In view of the relatively small contribution of f ftd,1 to the bending moment resistance, it is justified to use the relation
shown in Simplified stress-strain
the next figure.
stress

compression
Variant 1 1 : :Nkrimp = 0,75 ε'f ε'EffE
.hf.hand
andMM fcd
Variant Nkrimp = 0,75 krimp==EE
krimp f f. I.floor
Ifloor.Κ
.Κkrimp
krimp

Variant 2 2 : :Nkrimp
Variant = ε'
Nkrimp ,E
=fε' .hf.h
f, fE

Unity
Unity check:
check:

Mrep
Mrep +M+ krimp
Mkrimp Nkrimp
Nkrimp
Variant
Variant 1 1 : :——————
——————+ + —————
————— ≤ ≤11
Mwmax
Mwmax b.h.ft,rep,i
b.h.f 25‰
t,rep,i
strain
fftd. 3 εc,1 εc,2
Mrep
Mrep Nkrimp
Nkrimp
Variant tensile fftd. 2 1.75‰ 3.5‰
Variant 2 2 : : ––––––––––
––––––––––+ + ––––––––––
–––––––––– ≤1
≤1
Mwmax
Mwmax b.h.ft,rep,i
b.h.ft,rep,i
The below diagram illustrates the theory and contains the equations based on cross-sectional equilibrium for a
specifically assumed strain distribution over the height of the cross-section.
The below diagram illustrates the theory and contains the equations based on cross-sectional equilibrium for a spe-
cifically assumedCross-sectional
strain distribution over the height of the cross section.
equilibrium
4. CALCULATION OF Mu
ffcd εc,2 = 3,5 ‰

In each cross section Md ≤ Mu 7/ 15

N1 - 18.hxu

The maximum allowable bending moment in steel fibre concrete Msfrc is calculated by a cross-sectional equilibrium. εc,1 = 1,75‰
hxu
The stress-strain relation conforms to EN 14651.
fftd ,2

In a floor construction, yield lines must be developed and this aspect of behaviour will not occur in a notched beam, Mu
where we have only one crack. The EN 14651 test does not reflect multiple cracking. + d
1/3(h-hxu)
And for this reason, it is allowed to calculate with mean values. T2,2 1/2(h-hxu) h
T2,1
Consequently the CUR 111 clearly expresses:
+
εs
Calculating of the additional reinforcement:
“The mean (uni-axial) tensile strength is used as the starting value since the redistribution capacity of steel fibre T1
reinforced concrete industrial floors founded on piles, also regarding the minimum fibre content, is such that the use of
As
the mean value of the uni-axial tensile strength as a basis for design is accepted, rather than the characteristic lower
The maximum allowable bending moment in steel fibre concrete is calculated by a cross-sectional equilibrium.
limit value.”
The stress-strain relation conform EN 14651. ε ft εft
fftd,2 = (fftd,2 - fftd,3)
25.10-3
stress In this: Formulae:
Stress-strain diagram
compression fcd = design value of the compressive strength
fcd N1 = 0,75 hxub ffcd
fftd,1 = tensile strength design value of SFRC Formulae: d-hxu
T1 = Asσs = AsEsεs = AsEs ( ) 3,5.10-3 < Asfsy
fftd,2 = tensile strength design value at
hxu
N1 = 0.75hxuεbffcd
CMOD = 0,5 mm T2,1 = b (h-hxu)(fftd,2 - ft
(f -f ))
0.1‰ 25.10-3 ftd,2 ftd,3 d - hxu
0,45 * FR1 T1 = Asσs = AsEsεs = AsEs ( ——— ) 3.5.10-3 < Asfsy
ε
T2,2 = 1 b (h-hxu)
fftd,2 =
γm
ft
(f - f )) hxu
2 25.10-3 ftd,2 ftd,3εft
εt,2 fftd,3 = tensile strength design value at
25‰ T2,1 = b(h-hxu)(fftd,2 - ——— (fftd,2 - fftd,3))
CMOD = 3,5 mm Horizontal equilibrium: ∑ H = 0 :25.10
N1 =-3T1 + T1,2 + T 2,2
strain
fftd. 3 εc,1 εc,2 0,37 * FR4
tensile fftd,3 = 1 11 ε 1
fftd. 2 1.75‰ 3.5‰ γm Bending moment equilibrium:
T2,2 = — Mftu = 18
b(h-hxu) ———— hxu-fftd,3
(fftd,2 N1 +) 2
(h-hxu) T2,1 + 13 (h,hxu) T2,2 + (d-hxu) T1
fftd. 1 2 25.10-3
If Md > Msvb then Mreinforcement ≥ Md- MSFRC
Horizontal equilibrium:
∑ H = 0 : N1 = T1 + T1,2 +T2,2
The amount of reinforcement is calculated in the normal way
n this: ffcd = design value of the compressive strength. Bending moment equilibrium:
11 1 1
fftd,1 = design value of the tensile strength of SFRC.
10 11 Mu = —— hxu N1 + —— (h-hxu)T2,1 + — (h-hxu) T2,2 + (d-hxu) T1
18 2 3
fftd,2 = design value of the tensile strength at CMOD = 0,5mm
0,45 * FR1 If Md>Msvb then
 EA. OPLEGPUNTEN PK3
OPMERKING: ANALOOG DETAIL VOOR ANDERE

440
5

ASLIJN VLOERPAAL
OPLEGPUNTEN (OOK OP STEUNBLOKKEN
OP PAALKOPPEN PK 3 , ENZ.)

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375
75
PK1 PK3
5. PUNCHING 7. QUALITY EXAMINATIONS

150
ASLIJN VLOERPAAL VLOERPAAL

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4

3
For the most critical areas for punching - around columns and piles - crack openings have to be limited in order to Your Bekaert local specialist can support you with a comprehensive quality control program.
BOVENWAPENINGS - NET
have sufficient shear resistance through the concrete section. Therefore, a basic traditional upper reinforcement

375
8/8/150/150 MET ONDER

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FB2a
75

440

440
AANGELASTE
(mesh or rebar) always needs to be applied. Generals:
AFSTANDSHOUDERS, 75 75 150
PERFECT OP PAAL - Check the top level of all piles and foundations beams. These must be below the bottom of the concrete floor to allow casting.
When longitudinal reinforcement bars are provided, CUR 111 allows the contribution of concrete and steel
GECENTREERD - Check the level of the subbase.

75
PK1 PK3

150
fibres in the total shear 75stress resistance. must be leveled to +0 ; - 20 mm of the bottom of the concrete floor.

75
75

430
3
On the other hand, the CUR recommendation
150 clearly describes that a fibre only floor can not be designed using the - Check whether the plastic sheet is placed correctly, with enough overlap and fixed in such a way that the sheet will
fibres in the punching shear resistance. not curl up during the casting of the steel fibre concrete.
PLAN

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75 85

Must be in line with the Bekaert detailed drawings:

FB2b
FB2a

420
440
Fig. 2: Pile head detail - The extra reinforcement is placed. The top and bottom reinforcement need enough support to hold it in place
BOVENWAPENINGS - NET 20 160 150
MET ONDER Concrete floor
- POLIERBETON 22 cm , during the concrete casting process.

235
AANGELASTE PEBENOR
plastic sheet
zie bestek
PK1 - The reinforcement concrete cover.
95 25
PK4
AFSTANDSHOUDERS - DOORZICHTIGE PE-FOLIE 0,2mm PK1 FB2c FB4b
Soil
- GESTABILISEERD ZAND 13cm - The joint profiles are positioned and oriented correctly.
Concrete cover

20

25

25
2

5
dekking 3 cm 0,00
VLOERPLAAT opleg min.15 cm op bestaande paalkop

375

98
145
wanden leveler (detail volgt) K-101 ®
- The concrete mix needs to be designed and adapted in such a way
PK5that Dramix fibres can be mixed easily and

FB5
180
a good concrete workability is obtained. Moreover, the maximum water/cement ratio is 0,5.

30
Contact your local Bekaert specialist for optimal steel fibre concrete recepies. PK7

FB1f

betonneren box
505

afm. ifv. in te

305
330

415
Must be in line with the Bekaert design:

300
30 300
- The concrete thickness during casting.

283
PK1 FB1g - PK1 fibre type is used. PK1
The right FB3a FB3b
PK1 PK5 PK6
FB6

30
- The fibre dosage: check through several washing out tests (when an automatic dosing machine is not applied)

80
40 80

55
1'

25
1

13
40
35 85
- If needed: start up a quality program with beam tests, produced
270 in accordance
290 with
25 the EN 490
14 651 in order to 500

585
control the600
performance. Our concrete585lab is an open door for jobsite
560
test programs.
25
Contact your Bekaert
specialist.
2355 645
A B' B
Punching check has to be done based on the codes.
8. STANDARD SPECIFICATION TEXT
There is no agreed method for calculating the designed shear strength of fibre reinforced concrete without
conventional reinforcement. 1 Fibres
- Fibres to comply with European Standard EN 14 889-1.
It is necessary to limit crack widths in the punching area. In case of a too big crack width, the shear resistance - Fibres with CE-marking system 1. Fibres out of drawn wire, with a tensile strength of
capacity will decrease. It is only possible to realistically calculate crack widths in statically indeterminate structures steel wire > 1.000 Mpa min. Dimensional tolerances according to CE.
without conventional reinforcement by carrying out a non-linear analysis, which is impractical for design. - Minimum fibre length : 2 times the maximum coarse aggregate size.
- Maximum fibre length : 2/3 of the hose diameter of the pumping machine.
The maximum crack opening is a direct consequence of the total fibre network. It is prohibited to use fibre
dosages lower than the minimum dosage based on the total fibre length. 2 Performance
See “2.3.2. Minimum dosage based on minimum total fibre length” - Minimum total wire length/m³ should be 6.700 meter in order to ensure the
minimum network effect.
- Minimum fibre overlap according to Mc Kee Theory.
6. EXECUTION DETAILS - Residual flexural tensile strength in accordance with the design, but as absolute minimum.
f(r1) = 4,1 N/mm²
Depending on the specific project circumstances, f(r4) = 3,1 N/mm²
specific execution details (joint profiles, Benefit from our total design - Concrete quality and additional reinforcement in accordance with design note.
special reinforcement,…) have to be applied. management:
For your tailor-made job site details, - Joint profiles 3 Fibre concrete
please contact your local Bekaert specialist. - Reinforcement details - Glued fibres for improved and risk – free pumpability and mixing.
- Concrete compositon - It is prohibited to use loose steel fibres which will cause balls during mixing.
Contact your local bekaert specialist
or: infobuilding@bekaert.com Download at: www.bekaert.com/building
Execution details

12 13
9. BIBLIOGRAPHY

- EN 206-1:
Concrete – Part 1: Specification, performance, production
and conformity.

- EN 12390-3:
2002 Testing Hardened concrete – Part 3:
Compressive strength of test specimens

- EN 14651:
2005 Test method for metallic fibre concrete

- EN 14889-1:
2006 Fibres in concrete – part 1: Steel fibres
Definitions, specifications and conformity

- NEN 2743:
2003: In situ floorings – execution of monolithic
screeds and paving

- NEN 2747:
2001 Classification and measuring of the flatness and
parallelism of the surface of floorings

- NEN 6700:
2005: Technical principles for building structures
TGB 1990 – general principles

- NEN 6702:
2002: Regulations for concrete
Loadings and deformations

- NEN 6720:
1995: Regulations for concrete – structural requirements
and calculation methods, incl. Amendments documents

- NEN 6722:
2002: Regulations for concrete – Construction

- Technical report n°63:

Guidance for the design of Steel-Fibre-Reinforced concrete

- CUR-Recommendation 111:
Steel-Fibre-Reinforced concrete industrial floors on
pile foundations - design and construction

14 15
 ABOUT BEKAERT

Bekaert is active worldwide in selected applications of its two core competences: advanced metal transformation
and advanced materials and coatings. The combination of these competences makes Bekaert very unique.
Bekaert, headquartered in Belgium, is a technological leader and serves a worldwide customer base in a variety
of industry sectors.

BUILDING WITH BEKAERT

Bekaert products are widely used in the construction sector. Dramix® has given Bekaert a leading position in
the market of steel fibre concrete reinforcement. In 1979, Bekaert introduced Dramix® steel fibres for concrete
reinforcement, designed to offer an easy-to-use alternative for traditional steel mesh and bar reinforcement.
Applications of Dramix® steel fibres include industrial floors, precast elements, tunneling and mining, residential
applications and public works.

Other Bekaert building products

• Murfor® - masonry reinforcement
• Stucanet® - plastering mesh
• Widra® - corner beads
• Mesh Track - road reinforcement

NV Bekaert SA
Bekaertstraat 2
BE-8550 Zwevegem
Belgium
design by BOA-inc.be - 52.25.05

www.bekaert.com/building
infobuilding@bekaert.com

Modifications reserved. All details describe our products and solutions in Customer service:
general form only. For ordering and design only use official specifications T +32 56 76 61 10
and documents. F +32 56 76 79 47
© 2009 Bekaert

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