Solid State Phenomena Submitted: 2016-09-30

ISSN: 1662-9779, Vol. 259, pp 52-57 Revised: 2017-01-20

doi:10.4028/www.scientific.net/SSP.259.52 Accepted: 2017-02-07
© 2017 Trans Tech Publications, Switzerland Online: 2017-05-19

Influence of Steel Fibres in Steel Fibre Reinforced Concrete

on ULS and SLS
FLEISSIG Jan1, a *
1
Kladenská 411/13, Praha 6 Dejvice, Czech Republic
a
jan.fleissig@fsv.cvut.cz

Keywords: Steel Fibre Reinforced Concrete, ULS, SLS, Bending, Vertical Deformation

Abstract. The steel fibre reinforced concrete is expensive compared with the ordinary concrete. The
costs for the production, the transport and the setting of steel fibre reinforced concrete should be
directly proportional to its quality. The quality of material can be quantified in a broad spectrum of
properties (the workability, the mechanical and physical properties, the durability, etc.). This article
is focused on the influence of mechanical and physical properties (the tensile strength and the
residual tensile strength) on ULS and SLS. The paper is limited only to the bending load bearing
capacity from ULS point of view and limited only to vertical deformation from SLS point of view.
The example is a part of paper – the calculation of two bending structures. Firstly, it is calculated as
the structure of ordinary reinforced concrete and secondly it is calculated as the structure of
reinforced steel fibre reinforced concrete. The geometric arrangement, the type and the quantity of
reinforcement are identical for both calculated structures. The calculated structures are different
only in the tensile strength and the residual tensile strength. All other input parameters (including
modulus of elasticity) are identical for both calculated structures, in order the influence of tensile
strength on ULS and SLS excels. The presented results should be the basic concept for the
effectiveness assessment of steel fibre reinforced concrete application.

Introduction
The steel fibre reinforced concrete can be the high-quality material by its correct design of recipe.
The added value of steel fibre reinforced concrete is its higher tensile strength and the residual
tensile strength compared with the ordinary concrete. The structures of steel fibre reinforced
concrete are stiffer and more durable and have higher load bearing capacity and smaller dimensions
due to the higher tensile strength and the residual tensile strength. The presented results should be
the basic concept for the effectiveness assessment of steel fibre reinforced concrete application. For
this reasons it has significance to quantify the influence of steel fibres on ULS and SLS.

Input parameters
MEd= 44,1 kNm; Mfk= 25,36 kNm (Frequent load combination);
Mqp= 21,17 kNm (Quasi-permanent load combination)
Cross-section – rectangle 180x1000 mm, d = h – C – Ø/2 = 180 – 25 – 12/2 = 149 mm
Concrete: C30/37 (fcd= 20 MPa; fctm= 2,9 MPa; Modulus of elasticity of the concrete: Ecm= 32 GPa)
Steel fibre reinforced concrete: FC30/33-2,2/1,2 (fcd= 20MPa; fctm= 3,5MPa; ftd,res,1= 0,889 MPa;
Modulus of elasticity of the steel fibre reinforced concrete: Efcm= 32 GPa)
Steel reinforcement: B500B (fyd= 434,8 MPa; Es= 200 GPa) - 8xØ12 (As,prov= 905 mm2), C= 25 mm
Steel fibres: DRAMIX 80/60 (40 kg/m3; ftk,min= 1000 MPa; Ef= 200 GPa)

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 Solid State Phenomena Vol. 259 53

Assessment of the bending capacity

Reinforced concrete
Calculation and assessment of the bending capacity
A s, prov ⋅ f yd
Fc = Fs → x = [mm] (1)
0,8 ⋅ b ⋅ f cd

905 ⋅ 434,8
x= = 24,6 mm → z ≅ 139 mm
0,8 ⋅ 1000 ⋅ 20

M Rd = A s, prov ⋅ f yd ⋅ z ≥ M Ed [kNm] (2)

M Rd = 905 ⋅ 434,8 ⋅ 139 ⋅ 10 −6 = 54,8 ≥ 44,1 kNm → OK (Utilization 80,5 %.)

Steel fibre reinforced concrete

Calculation and assessment of the bending capacity
Ff = f td,res,1 ⋅ A c,t = f td,res,1 ⋅ b ⋅ (h − x) [kN] (3)

A s,prov ⋅ f yd + f td,res,1 ⋅ b ⋅ h
Fc = Fs + Ff → x = [mm] (4)
0,8 ⋅ b ⋅ f cd + f td,res,1 ⋅ b

905 ⋅ 434,8 + 0,889 ⋅ 1000 ⋅ 180

x= = 32,8 mm
0,8 ⋅ 1000 ⋅ 20 + 0,889 ⋅ 1000
Distance of internal forces of bending reinforcement: z1 ≅ 135,9 mm
Distance of internal forces of tensile part from compression steel fibre reinforced concrete force:
z 2 ≅ ((h − x)/2) + 0,6 ⋅ x [mm] (5)

z 2 ≅ ((180 − 32,8)/2) + 0,6 ⋅ 32,8 = 93,3 mm

M Rd = A s, prov ⋅ f yd ⋅ z 1 + f td,res,1 ⋅ b ⋅ (h − x) ⋅ z 2 [kNm] (6)

M Rd = 905 ⋅ 434,8 ⋅ 139 ⋅ 10 −6 + 0,889 ⋅ 1000 ⋅ (180 − 32,8) ⋅ 93,3 ⋅ 10 −6 = 65,7 kNm

M Rd = 53,5 (Reinforce ment) + 12,2 (Steel fibres) = 65,7 ≥ 44,1 kNm → OK (Utilization 67,1 %.)

Assessment of the vertical deformation

Common equations [1]
Es Ef
αE = [−] ; α F = [−] (7)
E c,eff E fc,eff

I y,I
M cr = f ctm ⋅ [kNm] (8)
h − xI

1
C= [1/(N · m 2 )] (9)
E c,eff ⋅ I y
54 23rd Concrete Days 2016

ξ = 1 − β ⋅ (M cr /M) 2 (10)

β = 1 (for the short time load); β = 0,5 (for the long time load)

(1/rM ) = M ⋅ [(1 − ξ) ⋅ C I + ξ ⋅ C II ] (11)

w qp = k ⋅ L2 ⋅ (1/rM ) qp ≤ L/250 [mm] ; w fk = k ⋅ L2 ⋅ (1/rM ) fk ≤ L/200 [mm] (12)

k = 5/48 (simple beam, uniformly distributed line load)

w qp, LT,TOTAL = w qp, LT + w cs,LT ≤ L/250 [mm] (13)

w fk,LT,TOTAL = w fk,LT + w cs,LT ≤ L/200 [mm]

Reinforced concrete
Short time load
Cross-section without cracks
α E, ST = 6,25 ; x I,ST,C = 0,092 m ; I y,I,ST,C = 0,000 505 m 4 ; M cr,ST = 16,6 kNm
M cr,ST < M fk [kNm]→ 16,6 < 25,36 kNm → The cross section with macro-cracks.

Cross-section with cracks

x II,ST,C = 0,036 m ; I y,II,ST,C = 0,000 088 m 4
Vertical deformation from the quasi-permanent load combination: w qp,ST = 6,8 ≤ 16,8 mm → OK
Vertical deformation from the frequent load combination: w fk,ST = 10,7 ≤ 21,0 mm → OK

Long time load

Cross-section without cracks
α E,LT = 19,38 ; x I,LT,C = 0,095 m ; I y,I,LT,C = 0,000 541 6 m 4 ; M cr,LT = 18,5 kNm
M cr,LT < M fk [kNm] → 18,5 < 25,36 kNm → The cross section with macro-cracks.

Cross-section with cracks

x II,LT,C = 0,057 m ; I y,I,LT,C = 0,000 21 m 4
Vertical deformation from the quasi-permanent load combination: w qp,LT = 13,7 ≤ 16,8 mm → OK
Vertical deformation from the frequent load combination: w fk,LT = 17,9 ≤ 21,0 mm → OK
Vertical deformation from the shrinkage: wcs,LT = 5 mm
Total long time vertical deformation from the quasi-permanent load combination:
w qp,LT,TOTAL = 13,7 + 5,0 = 18,7 ≥ 16,8 → NOT OK
Total long time vertical deformation from the frequent load combination:
w fk,LT,TOTAL = 17,9 + 5,0 = 22,9 ≥ 21,0 → NOT OK

Steel fibre reinforced concrete

Short time load
Cross-section without cracks
COMMENT: The calculation of the high of the compression part of steel fibre reinforced concrete
without cracks: steel fibres are considered in all cross-section and with all its area (all steel fibres act
in tensile and compression part theoretical, this fact changes in cross-section with cracks).
 Solid State Phenomena Vol. 259 55

x I,ST,FC = (A c ⋅ (h / 2) + α E,ST ⋅ A s,prov ⋅ d + α F,ST ⋅ A f ⋅ (h / 2)) / A I,ST [m] (14)

x I,ST,FC = (0,179095 ⋅ (0,18/2) + 6,25 ⋅ 905 ⋅ 10-6 ⋅ 0,149 + 6,25 ⋅ 9 ⋅ 10-4 ⋅ (0,18/2)) / 0,1895
x I,ST,FC = 0,092 m ; I y,I,ST, FC = 0,00052m 4 ; M cr,ST,FC = 20,6 kNm
M cr,ST < M fk [kNm] → 20,6 < 25,36 kNm → The cross section with macro-cracks.

Cross-section with cracks

COMMENT: The cross-section of reinforced steel fibre reinforced concrete with macro-cracks – the
area of steel fibres is reduced: steel fibres are considered in tensile part only; the area of steel fibres
is reduced by the coefficient Pf,1 (Pf,1 ≤ 1).

New equations
Ffc = the tensile force in the steel fibre reinforced concrete with macro-cracks [kN]
Ffc = f tk,res,1 ⋅ (h − x II,ST,FC ) ⋅ b [kN] (15)

Ff = the potential of steel fibres = the maximal tensile force of steel fibres in the tensile part of steel
fibre reinforced concrete with macro-cracks [kN]
Ff = f f,tk ⋅ ρ f ⋅ (h − x II,ST,FC ) ⋅ b [kN] (16)

Pf,1 = the ratio expressing static effectiveness of steel fibres in cross-section [-]
Pf,1 = Ffc / Ff ≤ 1 [-] (17)

Af,red = the static effective area of steel fibres in the tensile part of steel fibre reinforced concrete
with macro-cracks [m2]
A f,red = A f ⋅ ((h - x II,FC )/h) ⋅ Pf,1 [m 2 ] (18)

A II,ST = b ⋅ x II,ST,FC + α E,ST ⋅ A s, prov + α F,ST ⋅ A f,red,ST [m 2 ] (19)

((b ⋅ x 2 )/2) + α E,ST ⋅ A s, prov ⋅ d + α F,ST ⋅ A f ⋅ ((h − x)/h) ⋅ Pf,1 ⋅ ((h − x) / 2) + x

x= [m] (20)
b ⋅ x + α E,ST ⋅ A s, prov + α F,ST ⋅ A f ⋅ ((h − x) / h) ⋅ Pf,1

→ The quadratic equation: x = x II,ST,FC = 0,038 m ; I y,II,ST, FC = 0,000 095 m 4

Vertical deformation from the quasi-permanent load combination:
w qp,ST,FC = 2,9 ≤ 16,8 mm → OK
Vertical deformation from the frequent load combination:
w fk,ST, FC = 7,0 ≤ 21,0 mm → OK

Long time load

Cross-section without cracks
α E,LT = 19,38 ; x I,LT,FC = 0,095 m ; I y,I,LT, FC = 0,000 589 1 m 4 ; M cr,LT,FC = 24,2 kNm
M cr,LT < M fk [kNm] → 24,2 < 25,36 kNm → The cross section with macro-cracks.

Cross-section with cracks

x II,LT,FC = 0,059 m ; I y,I,LT,FC = 0,000 224 m 4 ; M cr,LT,FC = 24,2 kNm
Vertical deformation from the quasi-permanent load combination: w qp,LT, FC = 10,0 ≤ 16,8 mm → OK
Vertical deformation from the frequent load combination: w fk,LT = 14,4 ≤ 21,0 mm → OK
56 23rd Concrete Days 2016

Vertical deformation from the shrinkage: wcs,LT = 5 mm

COMMENT: The influence of shrinkage on beam with steel fibres is not included in the article.
Total long time vertical deformation from the quasi-permanent load combination:
w qp,LT, FC,TOTAL = 10,0 + 5,0 = 15,0 ≥ 16,8 → OK
Total long time vertical deformation from the frequent load combination:
w fk,LT,FC,TOTAL = 14,4 + 5,0 = 19,4 ≥ 21,0 → OK

Conclusions
The influence of steel fibres in the steel fibre reinforced concrete on ULS (bending load bearing
capacity) is certain from Table 1. The compressive strength is same for both materials (concrete and
steel fibre reinforced concrete), therefore the results represent only the influence of residual tensile
strength. It is able to achieve the higher reserve of bending load-bearing capacity or it is able to
reduce the quantity of bending reinforcement.
The influence of steel fibres in the steel fibre reinforced concrete on SLS (vertical deformation)
is certain from Table 2. The input parameters (the load intensity, the type and the span of structure
and the modulus of elasticity) are same for both materials, therefore the results represent only the
influence of the tensile strength and the residual tensile strength. It is able to achieve the lower value
of vertical deformation. The vertical deflection is influenced generally also by the modulus of
elasticity of the material, but both compared materials have same modulus of elasticity in this
article. For this reason, the modulus of elasticity has not influence on the results.
The economic comparison: the ordinary concrete costs ca. 85 euros per 1 m3; steel fibre
reinforced concrete costs ca. 118 euros per 1 m3 (in the Czech Republic).
Table 1 Results comparison of ULS – bending capacity
As,prov MRd COMPARISON
MATERIAL REINFORCEMENT 2
[mm ] [kNm] [%]
a) Concrete C30/37 B500B - 8 x ø12 905 54,8 100
Steel fibre
b) reinforced concrete B500B - 8 x ø12 905 65,7 120
FC 30/33-2,2/1,2

Fig. 1 Splitting tensile strength test Fig. 2 Concrete cube after splitting tensile
strength test
 Solid State Phenomena Vol. 259 57

Fig. 3 Steel fibre reinforced concrete cube Fig. 4 Steel fibre reinforced concrete cube after
by splitting tensile strength test splitting tensile strength test
Table 2 Results comparison of SLS – vertical deformation
SHORT TIME LOAD LONG TIME LOAD
VERTICAL DEFORMATION [mm] wST w ST,lim w LT w LT,lim
ASSESSMENT ASSESSMENT
[mm] [mm] [mm] [mm]

Quasi-permanent C30/37 6,8 16,8 --> OK 13,7 16,8 --> OK

load combination
FC 30/33-2,2/1,2 2,9 16,8 --> OK 10,0 16,8 --> OK

Frequent load C30/37 10,7 21,0 --> OK 17,9 21,0 --> OK

combination
FC 30/33-2,2/1,2 7,0 21,0 --> OK 14,4 21,0 --> OK

C30/37 5,0
Shrinkage
FC 30/33-2,2/1,2 5,0

Quasi-permanent C30/37 18,7 16,8 --> NOT OK

load combination
(including shrinkage) FC 30/33-2,2/1,2 15,0 16,8 --> OK

Frequent load C30/37 22,9 21,0 --> NOT OK

combination
(including shrinkage) FC 30/33-2,2/1,2 19,4 21,0 --> OK

Acknowledgement
The financial support of the Czech Technical University in Prague, grant SGS16/041/OHK1/1T/11,
is gratefully acknowledged.

References
[1] Eurocode 2: Design of concrete structures - Part 1-1: General rules and rules for buildings.
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