Engineering Structures 30 (2008) 2970–2980

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Engineering Structures
journal homepage: www.elsevier.com/locate/engstruct

Fibrous reinforced concrete beams in flexure: Experimental investigation,

analytical modelling and design considerations
Giuseppe Campione ∗ , Maria Letizia Mangiavillano
Dipartimento di Ingegneria Strutturale e Geotecnica, Università di Palermo, Italy

article info a b s t r a c t

Article history: The flexural behavior of plain and fibrous reinforced concrete (FRC) beams under monotonic and cyclic
Received 19 May 2006 actions was analysed. Twelve beams were reinforced with top and bottom longitudinal deformed steel
Received in revised form bars and transverse steel stirrups. Concrete, having 30 MPa cylindrical strength, was reinforced with
22 November 2007
hooked steel fibres at a volume percentage of 1%. Beams, 600 mm in length and with a square side cross-
Accepted 9 April 2008
Available online 20 May 2008
section of 150 mm, were tested in flexure using a three point bending test, adopting three different
cover thicknesses of 5, 15 and 25 mm, respectively. The results obtained show that the addition of
Keywords:
fibers increases the bearing capacity of the beams and ensures more ductile behaviour, at the same
Short beams time reducing degradation effects under cyclic reversal loads. Moreover, the presence of fibers reduces
Fiber reinforced concrete the cover spalling process, also in the presence of high cover thicknesses. Shear strength of the beams
Steel fibers was calculated using an analytical expression given in literature for plain concrete beams and here
Cyclic loads extended to the case of fibrous concrete beams of hooked steel fibers on the subject, while the analytical
Shear-moment interaction results in terms of load–deflection curves, under monotonic actions, were generated using a non-
linear finite element program (DRAIN-2DX). This program was calibrated on the basis of constitutive
laws in compression and in tension capable of taking FRC properties into account, and verified against
experimental data. Finally, practical considerations regarding the choice of the optimum geometrical
ratio of longitudinal and transverse steel bars for the ductile behaviour of single reinforced cross-sections.
Moreover shear strength are given and compared with European and International code prescriptions.
© 2008 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

1. Introduction
Ductile design of reinforced concrete beams is generally related
to flexural failure in bending, but very often the presence of
high shear forces, especially in deep members, reduces their
flexural capacity. In the presence of cyclic actions, or when
high strength concrete is utilised, further penalisation occurs in
complete flexural capacity and ductility. Several experimental
and theoretical studies highlight the fact that the principal
parameters influencing the structural response of reinforced
concrete beams are: type (monotonic or cyclic) and direction
(vertical or horizontal) of external loads; shear span to depth
ratio; strength of concrete; shape and dimensions of members;
type, grade and arrangements of longitudinal and transverse steel
reinforcements.
Depending on the combination of the mentioned above
parameters, the ultimate loads and failure mode can change; in
∗ Corresponding address: Dipartimento di Ingegneria Strutturale e Geotecnica,
Università degli Studi di Palermo, Viale delle Scienze, 90128 Palermo, Italy.
Tel.: +39 091 6568437; fax: +39 091 6568407.
E-mail address: campione@stru.diseg.unipa.it (G. Campione).
0141-0296/$ – see front matter © 2008 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.
doi:10.1016/j.engstruct.2008.04.019
the worst case shear brittle failure occurs, while in the best case
ductile flexural failure occurs. Recent studies based on extensive
experimental investigations highlight the fact that the strength
and the ductility of reinforced concrete beams, both in the presence
and in the absence of secondary steel reinforcements, are enhanced
by using FRC instead of ordinary concrete [1–4]. Moreover, it has
been shown (e.g. [5]) that it is possible to partially substitute
the secondary shear steel reinforcements (generally constituted
by vertical stirrups and/or horizontal steel bars) by using FRC,
obtaining analogous performance in terms of both strength and
ductility. In the case of fiber reinforced concrete, several studies
focus on the choice of type and on the optimum volume percentage
of fibers to ensure overstrength in shear in reinforced concrete
beams and to avoid brittle failure. The most common fibers utilised
are hooked steel ones, and the best percentage for structural
application is between 0.5% and 1.5% by volume of concrete.
Fibers bridge the cracks, increasing the ductility of the member.
The bridging action of the fibers is related to pull-out resistance,
resulting in diffused cracks in the members. Moreover, because of
the high tensile strength and high strain capacity of the composite,
high tensile deformations in longitudinal steel reinforcements
are involved and consequently high ductility of the members is
achieved.
 G. Campione, M. Letizia Mangiavillano / Engineering Structures 30 (2008) 2970–2980 2971

Notations
As Area of longitudinal steel in tension
As0 Area of longitudinal steel in compression
Ast Area of transverse steel in stirrups
b Section base
d Depth of section
H Overall depth of section
c Cover
ρ Reinforcement ratio of longitudinal bars
ρsw Reinforcement ratio of transverse stirrups
fy Yielding stress
fu Ultimate stress
P Load Fig. 1. Geometry of the beams and steel arrangements.
δ Deflection
fc0 Peak compressive strength of concrete in reference to the analytical models taking the shear to moment
εo Peak compressive strain of concrete interaction into account, an adequate review of the fiber models
Ec Initial modulus of elasticity needs to be considered, or, in a more general way, it is necessary
ft0 Splitting tensile strength to adopt two (or three) dimensional finite element models.
In this paper the focus is on the experimental flexural behaviour
Pc Cracking load
of plain and fibrous reinforced concrete beams under monotonic
Pmax Peak load
and cyclic actions. Beams were reinforced with top and bottom
Pu Load corresponding to the stirrups failure in tension
longitudinal steel deformed bars and transverse steel stirrups and
δmax Peak deflection
different cover thicknesses were considered. Flexural and shear
δu Deflection corresponding to the stirrups failure in failure was observed under monotonic loading, while shear failure
tension was attained under cyclic loads.
Lf Fiber length In this context only the analytical prediction of load–deflection
φ Fiber equivalent diameter curves under monotonic actions will be considered. A nonlinear fi-
vf Fiber volume percentage nite element method, consisting of the discretization of the mem-
F Fiber factor ber in the longitudinal direction into segments and the transverse
xc Neutral axis depth cross-sections into strips, was utilised (DRAIN-2DX program [7]) to
Mf l Ultimate moment in flexure compare the analytical results with the experimental ones. Also,
Mus Ultimate moment for shear failure design considerations regarding the choice of the optimum geo-
Ect Elastic modulus of fibrous concrete in tension metrical ratio of main steel and transverse stirrups to ensure duc-
fr Residual strength of fibrous concrete tile behaviour and avoid shear failure are given.
Vu Ultimate shear More studies will be addressed to further include the interac-
Eh Reduced modulus in the strain-hardening phase tion between shear and bending moments under cyclic actions.
fcf Peak stress in compression of fibrous concrete
fctf Peak stress in tension of fibrous concrete 2. Experimental program
εof Maximum compressive strain of fibrous concrete
εctf Peak strain in tension of fibrous concrete The focus of the experimental research was the flexural
εo85 Compressive strain measured at 0.85 fc after peak behaviour of reinforced concrete beams. In the following sections
εy Yielding strain of main bars the experimental procedures, the test set-up arrangement, the
mechanical characterisation of constituent materials and the tests
Puf Load referring to shear failure
on beams will be described. Moreover, the experimental results
Puexp Experimental load
will be presented and discussed.
Pus Load referring to flexural failure
ς Size effect factor
2.1. Specimen details
γ Safety factor in shear
Twelve small beams, having the geometry and reinforcement
arrangements shown in Fig. 1, were cast and tested in flexure in
With reference to the analytical response under monotonic or three-point bending tests. The beams had square cross-sections of
cyclic actions of plain or fibrous concrete beams under flexure side b = 150 mm and length L = 600 mm and were reinforced with
and shear, several existing models were developed with the main four φ = 12 mm longitudinal deformed bars (two in the top portion
aim of determining the moment–curvature diagrams (such as the and two in the bottom portion). Closely placed stirrups steps of
model proposed by [6]) in which the interaction between shear p = 50 mm were also adopted. Additional closed stirrups were
and moment is neglected. These models give accurate predictions if placed to the support at a step of 25 mm.
complete flexural capacity is attained and they are generally based Three different values of effective cover of c = 5, 15 and
on the use of the finite elements method under the hypothesis of 25 mm were adopted. The beams were cast using normal strength
plane section theory (fibers models) or of approximate hysteretic ordinary and fibrous concrete with hooked steel fibers. Two
models capable of including the compressive and the tensile identical specimens were prepared for each type. The ends of
behaviour of fibrous concrete. It should be observed that in longitudinal bars were bent to ensure good anchorage. The three
members with low shear span ratio, shear deformations are almost different values of cover adopted thicknesses corresponding to the
ratios of 0.034, 0.12 and 0.22 between the cover c and the effective
as important as flexural ones. Therefore, even for members in
depth d. The geometrical ratios of longitudinal steel, having the
which the response to monotonic loading is governed by flexure,
area As , were ρ = bA·sd = 1.13%, 1.22% and 1.33%. The geometrical
shear deformations may exceed the flexural ones after a few load
ratio of the stirrups having area Ast , was ρsw = 2b·A·pst = 0.75%.
cycles, eventually leading to a shear failure. In these cases, and
2972 G. Campione, M. Letizia Mangiavillano / Engineering Structures 30 (2008) 2970–2980

Table 1
Mix design of the utilized concrete
Ingredient Quantity

Portland cement type 325 450 kg/m3

Water 220 kg/m3
Sand of river 850 kg/m3
Natural gravel (maximum size 10 mm) 1050 kg/m3
Superplasticizer 6.75 l

Table 2
Mechanical properties of steel bars
φ fy (MPa) fu (MPa) εu (%) Ef
(MPa)

6 520 620 10 206 000

12 467 546 14 206 000
Fig. 3. Stress–strain curves of concrete in compression.

Table 3
Mechanical properties of plain and fibrous concrete
vf fc0 (MPa) ε0 ε085 ft0 (MPa)

0 32.50 0.0036 / 2.95

0 29.80 0.0038 / 2.62
0 30.15 0.0035 / 2.85
1 36.19 0.00572 0.011 3.31
1 34.82 0.0053 0.0104 3.96
1 34.61 0.0052 0.0096 3.30

data acquisition system was utilised to record the complete

load–deflection curves during the tests. Monotonic and cyclic tests
were carried out until complete bearing capacity of the beams was
attained.
Fig. 2. Testing setup (unit: mm).

2.2. Characteristics of materials and tests set-up
Plain concrete, with 30 MPa compressive cylindrical strength at
28 days, was utilised to cast the concrete beams. Table 1 shows the
concrete’s adopted composition. Hooked steel fibers in a volume
percentage of 1% (corresponding to a dosage of 80 kg/m3 ) had a
length and diameter of 30 and 0.5 mm respectively and were added
into the fresh concrete and mixed to complete dispersion.
The effect of using 10 mm gravel in 150 × 150 × 600 mm beams
compared with the more typical 20 mm maximum size and larger
beams was considered acceptable since the scale ratio was not
large.
Cylinders having dimensions of 100 × 200 mm were also cast for
each series to perform compressive and cylindrical splitting tests.
Table 2 shows the mechanical properties of the steel for
longitudinal reinforcements bars.
All the tests were carried out using a universal testing machine
operating in a controlled displacement mode. The load was
recorded by means of a 60 kN load cell and a slow rate of
0.5 mm/min was imposed during the tests. The flexure tests were
carried out using a rigid frame with cylindrical supports (see Fig. 2)
adopting a three-point bending scheme with a span of 550 mm
(25 mm for each side for supports and shear span a = 275 mm).
Because of largest a/d parameter chosen was 2.25 the shear to
moment interaction was always very important.
The net deflections of the beams were recorded by three LVDTs,
one placed in the middle of the bottom portion of the beams and
the other two in the support and on the upper portion of the
beams. Special steel clamps with cylindrical supports were utilised
in the loaded sections. Two of them, placed at the supported
sections, were fixed to the bottom part of the testing machine,
while another, placed in the middle loaded section, was connected
to the movable part of the universal testing machine. An electronic
3. Experimental results
3.1. Material characterization
Fig. 3 shows stress–strain curves referring to compressive tests.
For compressive tests axial shortenings were recorded in the
middle portion of the specimens as suggested in [8]. In the same
figure, cases of ordinary and fibrous concrete (vf = 0 and 1%) are
presented. It is clear that in compression the presence of fibers
does not increase the peak stress in compression (up to 10%)
significantly, but it significantly improves the post-peak resistance
and the ductility of the material. By indirect tensile tests an
increase up to 30% of the splitting tensile strength determined on
the cylinders was also observed and significant residual strength
values (very closed to the maximum value) were measured.
Table 3 shows the mechanical properties of plain and fibrous
concrete in compression and in tension. fc0 and ε0 indicate the peak
compressive strength and the corresponding strain; ε085 shows the
strain measured at 0.85 of the peak stress in the softening branch;
and ft0 is the splitting tensile strength measured on cylindrical
specimens.
3.2. Monotonic flexural tests
Fig. 4 shows load–deflection curves (P − δ) referring to
reinforced beams in the case of plain and fibrous concrete for the
different values of the cover c (5, 15 and 25 mm, respectively).
In the same figures cases of plain concrete beams (no steel
reinforcement) are also given.
From the figures it emerges that brittle flexural failure occurs
without steel reinforcements bars, on the contrary in the presence
of steel reinforcements flexural rupture, characterized by yielding
of longitudinal steel, occurs. Because of the ratio between the shear
span and depth of the beams, interaction occurs between shear
 G. Campione, M. Letizia Mangiavillano / Engineering Structures 30 (2008) 2970–2980 2973

Table 4
Test results in flexure
c (mm) vf Pc (kN) Py (kN) δy (mm) Pu (kN) δu (mm) Pu /Pmax µ = δu /δmax
5 0 50.0 118.20 2.94 127.40 13.74 1.08 4.67
5 0 56.0 119.30 2.80 130.80 17.84 1.10 6.37
5 1 78.00 125.05 2.56 132.60 19.30 1.06 7.54
5 1 95.00 136.00 2.62 130.30 20.50 0.96 7.82
15 0 53.6 103.40 3.05 113.00 13.18 1.09 4.32
15 0 56.6 108.80 3.09 117.70 21.05 1.08 6.81
15 1 71.00 122.30 3.05 129.80 20.85 1.06 6.84
15 1 67.00 123.00 3.20 128.70 13.06 1.05 4.08
25 0 52.00 100.50 2.30 108.30 7.67 1.08 3.33
25 0 50.00 103.00 2.25 108.40 7.60 1.05 3.38
25 1 68.00 106.10 2.23 112.20 28.50 1.06 12.78
25 1 64.00 106.50 2.20 111.00 28.60 1.04 13.00

Fig. 5. Crack patterns at failure in monotonic tests of beams with c = 5 mm: (a)
without fibers ; (b) with fibers.

Fig. 4. Monotonic load–deflection curves in flexure.
force and bending moment, but because of the step utilised for
the stirrups (or volume percentage of fibers), no shear failure is
obtained. After the peak load in flexure is reached and the concrete
cover spalling process is in progress, the propagation of diagonal
cracks occurs and shear failure is observed (an inclined shear plane
forms) at the end of the test. The rupture of stirrups is observed at
the end of the test for a load measured when a sudden drop of the
applied load is verified.
In the presence of fibers, due to their bridging capacity across
the cracks, the shear strength of the beams increases and failure is
ductile and in flexure. In this case it appears reasonable to suppose
that stirrups are less stressed for the presence of fibers and the
failure in the tension of stirrups is delayed. Moreover, due to the
strength contribution of fibers in the tensile zone of the beams,
flexural failures observed, unlike the case of reinforced beams with
ordinary concrete. When the cover thickness increases due to the
presence of fibers, the spalling process is delayed and reduced.
Table 4 gives the mechanical properties of plain and fibrous
concrete beams under monotonic loading. The following symbols,
Pc , Pmax and δmax indicate the cracking strength (up to 10%), the
peak load and the corresponding deflection, respectively. Pu and
δu correspond to the stirrups failure in tension. Also Pu /Pmax and
ductility factor µ are given; the latter is conventionally defined as
the ratio between δu and δmax . Results given in Table 4 show the
higher ductility of fibrous concrete beams, except for the beams
with a cover c = 25 mm because the arm of internal forces is
probably limited, and also the higher cracking load with respect
to the case of beams in ordinary concrete.
Fig. 5 shows the condition of the beams at the end of the
tests in the case of ordinary and fibrous concrete. Few well open
shear cracks are found in the case of ordinary concrete and few
fine flexural cracks in the case of fibrous concrete are found, thus
highlighting the higher ductility of this kind of beams. Fig. 5 refers
to the conditions of beams under monotonic loading and in the case
of c = 5 mm, similar conditions are recorded in the other cases, but
for brevity the illustrations are not shown here.
2974 G. Campione, M. Letizia Mangiavillano / Engineering Structures 30 (2008) 2970–2980
Fig. 6. Developed crack patterns of beams: (a) without fibers; (b) with fibers.
Fig. 6 shows the developed crack patterns and corresponding
loads expressed in kN, referring to beams with different cover
thicknesses examined.
3.3. Cyclic flexural tests
Fig. 7 shows the cyclic load–deflection curves of reinforced
beams in the cases of both ordinary and fibrous concrete with
variation in the cover thickness. All the curves are characterized by
the first unloading carried out after the yielding of the longitudinal
bars. The successive unloading processes were performed when
severe loss of bearing capacity was observed. In all the cases
examined, similar phases of behaviour can be observed: in the
first branch up to yielding, the behaviour observed cyclically
corresponds to the monotonic response previously determined
(see Fig. 4). In this phase, after the formation of cracks in flexure,
the propagation of shear cracks produces further loss of initial
stiffness and nonlinear behaviour is observed up to the yielding of
longitudinal steel and the local crushing of concrete, as confirmed
in [9].
In the unloading branch of the first cycle the initial stiffness
is almost equal to that of the elastic branch, while in the first
reloading branch a significant decay in the stiffness is observed.
The curvature, however, increases with the closing of the initial
cracks and the compression of cracked concrete produces an
increase in the stiffness of the beams, with significant yielding of
the longitudinal steel in tension and the propagation of diagonal
cracks.
After a few cycles more degradation is observed, with decay
in strength and ductility, as is evident from the pinching effects
observed. The causes of this degradation can also be linked
to: strength mechanisms involved in shear–moment interaction;
softening effects in the strength of compressed regions after cyclic
actions; bond decay with increasing slippages with crack opening,
etc.
The transfer of the shear forces across the cracks is also due to
interlocking actions producing loss of stiffness and influenced by
the cover spalling process and by dowel actions.
When fiber reinforced concrete is used, more ductile behaviour
and reduced cover spalling process are observed (except for c =
25 mm, as mentioned before) with favourable effects on shear
resistance, also for very high deformations, generally characteristic
of flexural failure, as also observed in [6].
When fibers are used, even after a few cycles the containment
of the cover spalling increases the dowel action, producing
higher shear strength, principally due to the bridging action of
fibers across the principal cracks. Moreover, this beneficial effect
influences the shape of the cycles, which are characterized by
fewer pinching effects.
Fig. 8 clearly shows the better conditions at the end of tests
of beams made of fibrous concrete with respect to those made
of ordinary concrete, even after several cycles. For FRC more fine
cracks are observed, well controlled in width by the presence of
fibers.
Fig. 9 shows the evolution of developed crack patterns during
the first, the second, the third and fourth cycle of loading, in both
 G. Campione, M. Letizia Mangiavillano / Engineering Structures 30 (2008) 2970–2980
Fig. 7. Cyclic load–deflection curves in flexure.
the case of plain concrete beams (Fig. 9(a)) and fibrous concrete
beams (Fig. 9(b)). In Fig. 9 the maximum load Pmax reached at each
cycle and the residual load Pcu at the end of the cycle are given.
Results obtained show the better condition of beams with fibres,
also under cyclic reversal loads, and denote the ability of fibrous
concrete to support severe loading conditions, thus maintaining
the integrity (reduced cover spalling and finer cracks).
4. Analytical prediction of load–deflection curves and design
considerations
In the present section the load–deflection curves of the beams
under monotonic actions are evaluated and compared to the
experimental responses. A preliminary discussion and calibration
of the constitutive laws of the constituent materials (concrete and
steel) under monotonic loads is given to allow a correct idealization
of the linearized constitutive laws adopted in DRAIN-2DX [7]. Also,
the shear strength of the beams and the maximum bearing capacity
2975
Fig. 8. Crack patterns at failure in cyclic tests of beams with c = 5 mm: (a) without
fibers ; (b) with fibers.
in pure bending are evaluated so as to verify the failure mode
observed experimentally. Finally, design considerations regarding
the choice of the optimum geometrical ratio of longitudinal and
transverse bars, for the ductile flexural behaviour of beams with
single reinforced cross-sections are given and compared with
prescriptions given in International and European codes [10,11].
4.1. Constitutive laws of steel and concrete
For steel bars, an elastic with strain-hardening model (both in
compression and in tension) was adopted and calibrated on the
basis of experimental data obtained by testing steel bars in tension,
as mentioned in the previous section.
In particular the yielding stress fy , the ultimate stress fu and
corresponding strain values: εy , εu were considered; the reduced
modulus in the strain-hardening phase Eh can be expressed as:
fu − fy
Eh = . (1)
εu − εy
For fibrous concrete in compression the analytical stress–strain
curve was chosen after considering that the main effect of adding
short fibers (e.g. hooked steel fibers) is an increase in the toughness
and the post peak resources of the material, while, in reference
to the strength variation at the peak stress, a moderate increase
is observed. In this case, a simple linear relationship between
the compressive strength fcf of FRC, the characteristics of fibers
grouped in F , and the strength fc0 of plain concrete can be adopted,
F being the fiber factor defined as F = vf · Lf /φf · β with Lf and φf
the length and the diameter of fiber and β the shape factor of fiber
assumed as 1 and 0.5 for deformed and straight fibers respectively.
The strength and strain variations with F for normal strength
fibrous concrete (NSC) were adopted in a similar way as in [12].
The peak stress in compression fcf and corresponding strain ε0f
of FRC with steel fibers can be assumed, for steel fibers, as :
fcf = fc0 + 6.913 · F (2)
ε0f = ε0 + 0.00192 · F. (3)
It has to be stressed that the coefficients 6.913 and 0.00192 are
valid for hooked steel fibers with aspect of ratio up to 100 and
volume percentage up to 1.5%, while other experimental values
have to be utilized of other type of fibers.
In reference to complete stress–strain curves under monotonic
loading (see Fig. 10), a modified version of the analytical model
proposed in [13] was assumed.
In [13] it was assumed that:
 2
σ A · εε + (D − 1) · εε
0f 0f
=  2 (4)
fcf
1 + (A − 2) · ε + D · εε
ε
0f 0f
2976 G. Campione, M. Letizia Mangiavillano / Engineering Structures 30 (2008) 2970–2980

Fig. 9. Developed crack patterns of beams with c = 15 mm: (a) without fibers; (b) with fibers.

Fig. 10. Proposed stress–strain curves for FRC in compression.

in which A = EEc , with E0 the secant modulus at peak stress
0
defined as E0 = fcf /ε0f . The D parameter governs the slope of
the descending branch and for this a constant value was assumed
when characteristics of matrices and fibers are specified.
In the present paper, in Eq. (4), the D parameter was chosen
variable with F , according to the expression:
D = 0.3136 + 0.175 · F. (5)
Eq. (5) was calibrated on the basis of experimental data
available in literature (see. [14]) and of that generated here.
If the actual stress is settled to 0.85 fcf , by using Eq. (4) it results:
ε20.85 · (1 − 0.15 · D) − ε0.85 · (1.7 + 0.15 · β) · εof
+ 0.85 · ε2of = 0. (6)
Fig. 11. Assumed stress–strain curves for FRC in tension.
Therefore in the following section it will be assumed the peak
strain ε0 given by Eq. (3) and ε085 as ultimate strain given by
Eq. (6). It has to be observed that these values in the absence
of fibers results 0.002 and 0.003, values well know in the most
common codes on ultimate states.
As far as the tensile response of fibrous concrete is concerned,
the stress–strain curve adopted is that proposed in [15]. It
considers a stress–strain curve constituted by three linear
branches, as shown in Fig. 11. The curve adopted is characterized
by an initial ascending branch up to the maximum tensile strength
fctf , a second one connecting the peak stress with the point, having
 G. Campione, M. Letizia Mangiavillano / Engineering Structures 30 (2008) 2970–2980 2977

Fig. 12. Design assumptions for analysis of single reinforced concrete beams.

ordinate the residual strength fr and abscise the point of coordinate

εctu being:
εt · Ectf for  εt < εctf

εt − εctf



σt = fctf − fr · for εctf < εt < εctu


+ fr (7)
 ε ctu − εt
fr for εt > εctu



1 ρt
 
εctu = 2 · fy · + (8)
Es E0
with Es and fy modulus of elasticity and yield strength of transverse
steel, ρt reinforcing steel ratio in the transverse direction (if
horizontal distributed bars are present in the beam), and finally a
third branch characterized by residual strength fr .
Moreover fctf and fr indicate the maximum and residual
strength, respectively, of fibrous concrete and Ect its elastic
modulus in tension (it can be estimated using the mixture rules, Fig. 13. Variation of ρ with F .
but in practice it can be assumed to be that of plain concrete).
With reference to the residual strength of FRC, it was shown in and the depth of the tensile zone H − e being expressed by:
[16] that for hooked steel fibers it can be assumed as:
+ ε085
q fctf
e
= 0.2 · fc0 · F.
fr ∼ (9) = Ect
. (12)
xc ε085
As regards the ft value, it was observed by [16] that with the
volume percentage of fibers up to 1 % and the aspect of ratio (length To apply Eqs. (10)–(12) it is necessary to verify that the
to diameter ratio of fiber) up to 100, its values do not increases, but geometrical ratio of main steel is between maximum and
not significantly and in a conservative way it can be assumed equal minimum values corresponding as follows: the minimum to ε0f of
to that of plain concrete. crushing in concrete and to the ultimate strain in main steel (see
point A of Fig. 12), and the maximum to the first yielding of main
4.2. Flexural and shear strength of fibrous reinforced concrete beams steel and the maximum crushing of concrete at ε085 of strain (see
point B of Fig. 12), resulting in:
Referring to flexural failure and considering that the loaded
εc fcf fr c εc + εf
 
section is subjected to the maximum bending moment by ρ = 0.8 · · − · 1+ − . (13)
using the translation and rotational equilibrium conditions, it is εc + εs fy fy d εc + εs
possible to determine the position of the neutral axis xc , and Therefore, it results in the minimum ρmin (point A of Fig. 12),
the ultimate moment Mf l . Detailed analytical expressions, valid critical ρcr (point C of Fig. 12) and maximum ratio ρmax of main
for fibrous concrete beams with a T cross-section with top and steel (point B of Fig. 12) expressed by Eq. (13) particularized for
bottom steel reinforcements, can be found in [17] while in [6],
the different cases assuming for: ρ = ρmin εc = ε0f and εs = εu ;
analogous expressions were found for rectangular cross-sections.
ρ = ρcr εc = ε085 and εs = εu ; ρ = ρmax εc = ε085 and εs = fy /Es .
In the following simplified procedure proposed in [14] for fibrous
It has to be observed that the maximum strain capacity of
concrete, it is assumed that the contribution due to compressed
main steel εu is assumed according to the most common codes as
bars is neglected.
According to [14], by using the stress-block for the compression 0.01, while for FRC higher values e.g. 0.025 can be utilized. In the
and tension zones of fibrous concrete and by supposing the main following section it twill be assumed as 0.01 to give a comparison
steel in tension to be yielded (see Fig. 12) and the maximum with the case of ordinary concrete.
concrete strain assumed εof , it is possible to obtain: Fig. 13 shows the variation of minimum, maximum and critical
the position of neutral axis: ratio (ρmin, ρmax and ρcr ) with F for steel having yielding stress
460 MPa, and fc0 = 30 MPa. In the same graph, maximum
xc 1 ρ · fy + fr · h
d values given by [10,11] and the assumed experimental values are
= · (10)
d α fcf + fr · ft /Ec t +ε0.85 reported. From the graphs it emerges that ρ increases with F
0.80·ε085
in agreement with the concept that the strain at peak load also
the ultimate moment: increases with F . Moreover, in the absence of fibers, if ρ is lower
Mf l 0.80 · xc h e
   
= ρ · f · 1 − 0. 5 · + f · − than the minimum ratio (point A), the required addition of fibers to
2 y r
b·d d d d produce first crushing does not change significantly. On the other

h h−e 0.80 · xc
 hand, if ρ is higher than the maximum value, to avoid complete
× − − 0.5 · (11) crushing of concrete with main steel bar has to be yielded (point
d 2·d d
2978 G. Campione, M. Letizia Mangiavillano / Engineering Structures 30 (2008) 2970–2980

B), a significant increase of geometrical ratio is required with the F

increases.
In the case of shear failure to predict the bearing capacity of the
beams, several analytical expressions are proposed and mentioned
in [18]. In the following, the original expression proposed in [19],
valid for fibrous concrete beams without stirrups, is adopted with
the addition of the contribution of the stirrups supposed to be
yielded.
To take into account the size effect Bazant and Kim [20] suggest
introducing a ξ coefficient for beams made of ordinary concrete,
defined as:
1
ξ= q (14)
d
1+ 25·da

where da is the maximum aggregate size of the concrete.

Fig. 14. Variation of flexural capacity with ρ.
In the following, this coefficient as suggested in [16] will be
assumed also for fibrous concrete.
Therefore the shear strength was derived by the formula given
by ACI 318-02 [10] affected by the size effect coefficient and also
including the fibers contribution as suggested by [16]
d
 q 
νu = ξ · 0.16 · fcf + 17.2 · ρ · + 0.41 · τ · F
a
+ ρsw · fyw [MPa]. (15)
Referring to the τ value, which is the bond strength of single
fiber pulled out from matrices, the following relationship was
assumed, as suggested in [18] for hooked steel fibers,:
q
τ = 0.66 · fcf [MPa]. (16)

Substituting Eq. (16) in Eq. (15):

d Fig. 15. Relative flexural capacity of beams with a/d variation.
 q 
vu = ξ · 0.16 · (1 + 1.69 · F ) · fcf + 17.2 · ρ ·
a
+ ρsw · fyw [MPa].
This expression, which was tested by the authors on the basis of
the extensive data bank available in literature, looks very effective
because only the experimental compressive strength of plain
concrete and the tensile yielding stress of steel bars are needed to
use it.
By using Eq. (17) it is possible to determine the ultimate bearing
capacity, in terms of flexural capacity, which, for three point
bending tests is Mus = (vu · b · d) · a, resulting in:
Mus a d
 q
2
= · ξ · 0.16 · (1 + 1 .69 · F ) · fcf + ξ · 17.2 · ρ ·
b·d d a

+ ρsw · fyw [MPa].
Fig. 14 shows the variation of flexural capacity (M/bd2 ) with
ρ referring to the cases examined in the present investigation. A
ξ value of 0.8 was assumed in the calculation. The M/bd2 value
is the minimum of those given by Eqs. (11) and (18). Analytical
cases of plain and fibrous concrete (vf = 1%) beams were shown
with corresponding experimental data. The comparison between
analytical and experimental results shows good agreement and
also confirms, as already observed experimentally, that the
attained failure mode is in flexure; for these reasons in the
following section for the prediction of load–deflection curves of
beams the plane section theory is principally considered.
Fig. 15 shows Kani’s valley, which is the graphical representa-
tion of the relative flexural capacity for reinforced concrete beams,
a function of the ratio a/d. The relative flexural capacity is the ra-
tio between the maximum moment due to the shear strength Mus
and the maximum moment in pure bending Mf l . With continuous
and dashed lines in Fig. 15 the different contributions at the shear
(17) strength caused by beam and arch effects are represented (see
Eq. (17)).
It is interesting to observe that if simultaneous shear and
flexural failure is imposed (see Eqs. (11) and (18)) it is possible to
obtain the relationship which gives the (a/d)b ratio, corresponding
to the abscissa of point A in Fig. 15. This expression results as:
− 17.2 · ρ · ξ
Mf l
a
 
b·d2
= . (19)
0.16 · (1 + 1.69 · F ) · ξ · fcf + ρsw · fyw
p
d b
Moreover, it must be observed that the case of a simply
supported beam with uniformly distributed loads (generally
occurring in real structures) is equivalent, for the shear to moment
interaction problem, to the case of a simply supported beam with
(18)
concentrated loads (four point bending test) applied at a = L/4, as
suggested in [21].
Fig. 16 shows the variation of ratio (a/d)b with F in correspon-
dence of ρcr , ρmin and ρmax (see Eq. (13)) and for each of them in
correspondence of the minimum ρswmin and the maximum ρswmax
values. It should be remembered that ρswmin and ρswmax correspond
to steps of 305 and 150 mm (with 8 mm diameter) according to [10,
11], respectively.
If ρ is lower than ρcr , also for a low value of F , the shear strength
increase is very high (there are no curves intercrossing limit a/d =
4), while if ρs higher than ρmax and ρswmin is adopted, the addition
of fibers, in an acceptable percentage and aspect of ratio, does not
allow a correction of the brittle failure caused by shear.
It is possible to design beams for maximum bearing capacity
assigning strength in shear, by using a combination of optimum
percentages of fibers and stirrups. For doing this, the maximum
bearing capacity in flexure (see Eq. (11)) is supposed to be equal to
the moment corresponding to shear failure (see Eq. (18)) amplified
by a safety factor γ (the choice of the γ value is related to the
 G. Campione, M. Letizia Mangiavillano / Engineering Structures 30 (2008) 2970–2980 2979

Table 5
Geometrical ratio of longitudinal and transverse steel according to EC8 and ACI 318-02
Code ρ p ρsw (φst = 8 mm; b = 250 mm)
min max max Assumed
q
fc0
ACI 318-95 0.25 · fy
0.025 h/4; 8 φ 24 φ; 305 mm 0.0014 (p = 305 mm)

· ρρ
fctm fct 0
EC8 0.5 · fy
0.015 + 0.35 · fy
h/4; 5 φ 24 φ; 150 mm 0.0028 (p = 150 mm)

Fig. 16. Variation of (a/d)b with F . Fig. 18. Assumed stress–strain curves for FRC in compression.

reduction in the required percentage of stirrups with the increase

Fig. 17. Variation of ρsw with F .
overstrength required—see e.g. [11]) and obtaining the geometrical
ratio of stirrups:
1 Mf l d 1

ρsw = · · · − 0.16 · ξ · (1 + 1.69 · F )
fy b·d a γ
2
d into 40 strips, while beams were modeled using ten one-
q 
× fcf − 17.2 · ξ · ρ · . (20)
a
Fig. 17 shows the variation of ρsw with F for a fixed value of
a/d = 4, fy = 460 MPa, fc0 = 30 MPa, b = 250 mm, H =
500 mm, c = 20 mm and assuming γ = 1, in correspondence of
ρmin and of a generic value of ρ. Also in this case a size effect factor
equal to 0.80 was assumed.
In the same graph, the upper limits for the maximum allowable
step according to [11] (p = 150 mm) and [10] (p = 305 mm) are
also given to verify the effectiveness of fibers coupled with stirrups.
The curves allows us to determine, for fixed values of F , the ρsw
values under the hypothesis of simultaneous failure in shear and
flexure (γ = 1), considering that beams in fibrous concrete have
the same strength as beams with ordinary concrete. If ρmin and
ρswmin are adopted without fibers it is possible to reduce the ρswmin
value required by adding fibers. On the other hand, by using ρcr , the
of F is less. Finally, if ρ is higher than ρmax (case not given in the
graph) a low effectiveness of fibers is observed, according to the
required percentages of stirrups.
According to the results obtained, in order to achieve maximum
effects in terms of shear and bending moments, the geometrical
ratio of longitudinal bars does not exceed the critical value. By
using stirrups in combination with fibers, it is possible to design the
beam for over-strength in shear, assigning a maximum allowable
pith of stirrups (p = 305 according to [10] or 150 mm according to
[11]) and substituting stirrups with fibers.
Table 5 shows the geometrical ratios of main and transverse
steel given by [10,11] for reinforced concrete beams while values
suggested for beams in FRC with single reinforcements are those
given by Eq. (13) particularized for ρmin and ρmax ..
4.3. Monotonic load–deflection response
To predict the load–deflection response under monotonic
actions, nonlinear analysis was developed using the Type 15
Element of the finite element library of the DRAIN-2DX program
[7]. Transverse cross-sections were modeled by using a subdivision
dimensional elements. Linearized stress–strain curves given by
Eq. (4) (see Fig. 18) were adopted. In tension for fibrous concrete
stress–strain curves given by Eq. (7) were adopted, but for brevity
the curves are not shown here.
To reproduce the three point bending test, a displacement
controlled mode history was imposed in the loaded middle joint
and the reaction force for each displacement level was obtained.
The numerical procedure utilized by the program code to solve
non linear problem allows one to reproduce the load–deflection
response of the beam under displacement control. Fig. 19 shows
the moment–curvature diagrams for the cases of c = 5 and
15 mm respectively, demonstrating the advantages of using
fibrous concrete. Moreover, Fig. 20 shows the analytical and the
experimental P − δ curves for the cases of ordinary and fibrous
concrete with c = 5 mm. In both cases, comparison shows the good
prediction of experimental results.
2980 G. Campione, M. Letizia Mangiavillano / Engineering Structures 30 (2008) 2970–2980
Fig. 19. Analytical moment–curvature diagrams for FRC concrete rectangular
cross-section (data of current experimental investigation).
Fig. 20. Analytical and experimental load–deflection curves under monotonic
loading (data of current experimental investigation).
5. Conclusions
The flexural behaviour of plain and fibrous reinforced concrete
beams under monotonic and cyclic loads was studied. The
experimental results obtained show that the use of fibers, in a
correct percentage for structural purposes, and in combination
with traditional steel reinforcement, allows the achievement
of better performances compared to those of conventionally
reinforced beams, even when shear-moment interaction occurs.
The presence of fibers increases the cracking limits of the beams as
well as their bearing capacity, especially when the cover thickness
increases. Moreover, under cyclic action several advantages are
observed such as: a reduced cover spalling process; a significant
increase in shear strength due to the bridging actions of the fibers
across the principal cracks; fewer pinching effects.
Analytical predictions, based on expressions for flexural and
shear strength available in literature proposed by the authors in
a previous paper, give accurate predictions of the experimental
data. On the basis of these expressions, a new proposal is given
for the choice of minimum, maximum and critical ratio of main
steel which takes the increase of peak strain in compression of fiber
reinforced concrete into account.
Analytical results obtained have shown that:
- the required critical geometrical ratio of longitudinal steel for
the balanced failure of transverse cross-section increases with F ,
while, if the minimum required geometrical ratio of main steel is
assumed, corresponding to first crushing of concrete, the increase
with F is negligible;
- it is possible to design beams for maximum bearing capacity in
flexure and to assign over-strength in shear by using a combination
of the optimum percentages of fibers and stirrups;
- only by using a geometrical ratio of main steel lower than (or
at least equal to) critical value is it possible to effectively substitute
the required transverse steel stirrups with fibers;
- if lower values of the critical ratio of longitudinal bars and
the minimum geometrical ratio of transverse steel are utilized, the
shear strength increase is very effective, also for moderate F values;
- if the geometrical ratio of longitudinal bars is higher than the
maximum value corresponding to the first yielding of main bars
and the complete crushing of concrete, the addition of fibers (in
acceptable values) does not allow the correction of brittle failure
caused by shear.
By using a non-linear finite element program (DRAIN -2DX), it
is easily possible to capture the load–deflection response of simply
supported beams, adopting adequate constitutive laws of fibrous
concrete.
Finally, if we are to be able to obtain more general conclusions,
further, extensive research into full scale members needs to
include size effects and the interaction between shear and the
bending moment under cyclic actions.
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