ICC EVALUATION SERVICE, INC.

Evaluate P Inform P Protect

ACCEPTANCE CRITERIA FOR STEEL FIBERS IN CONCRETE

AC208

Approved October 2005

Effective November 1, 2005

Previously approved February 2003

PREFACE
Evaluation reports issued by ICC Evaluation Service, Inc. (ICC-ES), are based upon performance features of the International family
of codes and other widely adopted code families, including the Uniform Codes, the BOCA National Codes, and the SBCCI Standard Codes.
Section 104.11 of the International Building Code® reads as follows:

The provisions of this code are not intended to prevent the installation of any materials or to prohibit any design or method
of construction not specifically prescribed by this code, provided that any such alternative has been approved. An alternative
material, design or method of construction shall be approved where the building official finds that the proposed design is
satisfactory and complies with the intent of the provisions of this code, and that the material, method or work offered is, for
the purpose intended, at least the equivalent of that prescribed in this code in quality, strength, effectiveness, fire resistance,
durability and safety.

Similar provisions are contained in the Uniform Codes, the National Codes, and the Standard Codes.

This acceptance criteria has been issued to provide all interested parties with guidelines for demonstrating compliance with performance
features of the applicable code(s) referenced in the acceptance criteria. The criteria was developed and adopted following public hearings
conducted by the ICC-ES Evaluation Committee, and is effective on the date shown above. All reports issued or reissued on or after the effective
date must comply with this criteria, while reports issued prior to this date may be in compliance with this criteria or with the previous edition. If
the criteria is an updated version from the previous edition, a solid vertical line (›) in the margin within the criteria indicates a technical change,
addition, or deletion from the previous edition. A deletion indicator (º) is provided in the margin where a paragraph has been deleted if the deletion
involved a technical change. This criteria may be further revised as the need dictates.

ICC-ES may consider alternate criteria, provided the report applicant submits valid data demonstrating that the alternate criteria are
at least equivalent to the criteria set forth in this document, and otherwise demonstrate compliance with the performance features of the codes.
Notwithstanding that a product, material, or type or method of construction meets the requirements of the criteria set forth in this document, or
that it can be demonstrated that valid alternate criteria are equivalent to the criteria in this document and otherwise demonstrate compliance with
the performance features of the codes, ICC-ES retains the right to refuse to issue or renew an evaluation report, if the product, material, or type
or method of construction is such that either unusual care with its installation or use must be exercised for satisfactory performance, or if
malfunctioning is apt to cause unreasonable property damage or personal injury or sickness relative to the benefits to be achieved by the use of
the product, material, or type or method of construction.

Copyright © 2005

Business/Regional Office P 5360 Workman Mill Road, Whittier, California 90601 P (562) 699-0543
www.icc-es.org Regional Office P 900 Montclair Road, Suite A, Birmingham, Alabama 35213 P (205) 599-9800
Regional Office P 4051 West Flossmoor Road, Country Club Hills, Illinois 60478 P (708) 799-2305
 ACCEPTANCE CRITERIA FOR STEEL FIBERS IN CONCRETE
1.0 INTRODUCTION
1.1 Purpose: The purpose of this criteria is to establish
the basis for recognition of steel fibers used in concrete in
ICC Evaluation Service, Inc. (ICC-ES) evaluation reports
% under the 2003 International Building Code® (IBC), the 2003
International Residential Code® (IRC) and the 1997 Uniform
Building Code™ (UBC).
1.2 Scope: This criteria applies to steel fibers used as an
alternative to the shrinkage and temperature reinforcement
specified in Chapter 7.12 of ACI 318 (IBC and IRC) and
% UBC Section 1907.12, for plain concrete footings, for plain
concrete slabs supported directly on the ground and for
concrete over composite steel decks. This criteria does not
eliminate the requirement for joints specified in Chapter 22.3
of ACI 318 (IBC and IRC) and UBC Section 1922.3, for plain
concrete slabs supported directly on the ground. The steel
fibers are used in addition to any specified structural
reinforcement. The criteria calls for assessment of steel fiber
properties, fiber effects on concrete strength, and fiber
contribution to concrete cracking resistance.
1.3 Referenced Documents:
% 1.3.1 2003 International Building Code® (IBC),
International Code Council.
% 1.3.2 2003 International Residential Code ®
(IRC),
International Code Council.
1.3.3 1997 Uniform Building Code™ (UBC).
% 1.3.4 ASTM A 653-01a , Standard Specification for Steel
Sheet, Zinc-Coated (Galvanized) or Zinc-Iron Alloy-Coated
(Galvannealed) by the Hot-Dip Process, ASTM International.
1.3.5 ASTM A 820-01, Standard Specification for Steel
Fibers for Fiber-Reinforced Concrete, ASTM International.
1.3.6 ASTM C 39-96, Standard Test Method for
Compressive Strength of Cylindrical Concrete Specimens,
ASTM International.
1.3.7 ASTM C 78-00, Standard Test Method for Flexural
Strength of Concrete Using Simple Beam with Third-Point
Loading, ASTM International.
% 1.3.8 ASTM C 94-00, Standard Specification for Ready-
Mixed Concrete, ASTM International.
% 1.3.9 ASTM C 330-99, Standard Specification for
Lightweight Aggregates for Structural Concrete, ASTM
International.
1.3.10 ASTM C 494/C494M-92, Standard Specification
for Chemical Admixtures for Concrete, ASTM International.
1.3.11 ASTM C 666-97, Standard Test Method for
Resistance of Concrete to Rapid Freezing and Thawing,
ASTM International.
1.3.12 ASTM C 1116-02, Standard Specification for
Fiber-Reinforced Concrete and Shotcrete, ASTM
International.
1.3.13 ASTM C 1399-01, Test Method for Obtaining
Average Residual-Strength of Fiber-Reinforced Concrete,
ASTM International.
% 1.3.14 ASTM E 119-00a, Standard Test Method for Fire
Tests of Building Construction and Materials, ASTM
International.
2
% 1.3.15 ACI 318-02, Building Code Requirements for
Structural Concrete, American Concrete Institute.
1.4 Definitions:
1.4.1 Average Residual Strength (ARS): The average
stress-carrying ability of the cracked beams that is obtained
by calculation, using the residual strength at the four
deflections specified in ASTM C 1399.
1.4.2 Steel Fibers: Slender and elongated steel
filaments of finite length.
2.0 BASIC INFORMATION
2.1 Descriptive information for the product, including
manufacturer’s name and address, steel fiber type, size,
configuration, and tensile strength.
2.2 Method(s) of packaging and product identification.
Identification shall include the ICC-ES evaluation report
number.
2.3 Application, mixing, and surface finishing details.
Detailed surface finishing (treatment) procedures are
necessary to ensure that steel fibers are sufficiently coated
with cement paste to preclude corrosion of fibers.
% 2.4 Testing laboratories shall comply with Section 2.0 of
% the ICC-ES Acceptance Criteria for Test Reports (AC85)
% and Section 4.2 of the ICC-ES Rules of Procedure for
% Evaluation Reports.
% 2.5 Test reports shall comply with AC85.
% 2.6 Product sampling shall comply with Section 3.2 of
AC85.
2.7 If the evaluation report applicant purchases the fibers
from a steel fiber manufacturer, evidence is needed of an
agreement between the fiber manufacturer and the
evaluation report applicant indicating that the manufacturer
will inform the evaluation report applicant of any changes to
the fiber. The evaluation report applicant shall then notify
ICC-ES.
% 3.0 TEST AND PERFORMANCE REQUIREMENTS
3.1 General:
3.1.1 Consideration shall be given to the volume, size,
type, and configuration of steel fibers used. Extrapolation to
other volumes, sizes and types of steel fibers shall be
justified, and subject to approval by ICC-ES technical staff.
3.1.2 Tests shall be conducted in both normal-weight
and, optionally, structural lightweight concrete.
3.2 Test Requirements: Results of tests conducted in
accordance with Sections 4.0 through 4.5, inclusive, are
required. Reports of tests described in Sections 4.6 to 4.8
also may be submitted, depending on fiber use.
% 4.0 TEST METHODS
4.1 General: All tests in concrete shall be conducted
using appropriate sections of the reference mix outlines in
Sections 11 through 15 of ASTM C 494. For structural
lightweight concrete, aggregate shall comply with ASTM C
330, size designation 25.0 mm to 4.75 mm.
4.2 Steel Fiber Properties: Purpose of the test is to
evaluate the tensile strength, ductility, length and diameter
of the steel fiber.
 ACCEPTANCE CRITERIA FOR STEEL FIBERS IN CONCRETE
4.2.1 Test shall be conducted in accordance with ASTM
A 820.
4.2.2 Steel Fiber specimens shall meet the tensile,
bending and dimensional requirements specified in ASTM
A 820.
4.3 Concrete Compressive Strength: Purpose of the
test is to evaluate whether the addition of steel fibers
adversely affects the compressive strength of the concrete.
4.3.1 Comparative tests shall be conducted in
accordance with ASTM C 39.
4.3.2 Tests shall be conducted on three specimens with
steel fibers in the concrete mix, and three specimens without
fibers (control).
4.3.3 Condition of acceptance is that the average 28-
day compressive strength of the three specimens with steel
fibers shall not be lower than the average 28-day
compressive strength of the control specimens. Slight
deviations, due to variations in testing, may be considered.
4.4 Concrete Flexural Strength: Purpose of the test is
to evaluate whether the addition of steel fibers adversely
affects the flexural strength of the concrete.
4.4.1 Comparative tests shall be conducted in
accordance with ASTM C 78.
4.4.2 Tests shall be conducted on three specimens with
steel fibers in the concrete mix, and three specimens without
fibers (control).
4.4.3 Condition of acceptance is that the average 28-
day flexural strength of the three specimens with steel fibers
shall not be lower than the average 28-day flexural strength
of the control specimens. Slight deviations, due to variations
in testing, may be considered.
4.5 Average Residual Strength: Purpose of the test is
to evaluate the post-crack load-carrying capability of the
fiber-reinforced concrete.
4.5.1 Testing shall comply with ASTM C 1399.
4.5.2 Tests shall be conducted on eight specimens with
the steel fibers.
4.5.3 The steel fiber-reinforced concrete shall have a
minimum 28-day average residual strength of 80 psi (551
kPa).
% 4.6 Freezing and Thawing Durability: (May be omitted
% if use is limited to plain concrete slabs supported directly on
% the ground, in areas not subject to freezing and thawing
% conditions or deicing chemicals.) The purpose of this test is
% to evaluate the durability of concrete that is subject to
% exposure to freezing and thawing conditions or deicing
% chemicals.
4.6.1 Tests shall be conducted in accordance with
Procedure A of ASTM C 666.
4.6.2 Tests shall be conducted on three concrete
specimens with the fibers. The air content of the mixture
shall be as specified in Section 12.2.2 of ASTM C 494.
4.6.3 Condition of acceptance is that the average
durability factor of the three specimens containing the steel
fibers shall be a minimum of 80 percent.
4.7 Fire-resistive Test: (May be omitted if use is limited
to nonfire-resistive construction.) The purpose of the test is
3
to evaluate whether the addition of steel fibers in a concrete
mix will adversely affect the fire resistance of concrete
assemblies.
Test shall be conducted in accordance with ASTM E 119
(UBC Standard 7-1). Details of the test shall be discussed
with the ICC-ES staff prior to the beginning of the testing.
4.8 Concrete over Steel Deck Composite
Construction Test:
4.8.1 General: (May be omitted if use of fibers is limited
to concrete slabs supported directly on the ground.) The
purpose of the test is to evaluate whether the addition of
steel fibers to a concrete mix placed over steel deck
adversely affects the shear bond between the concrete and
steel deck construction.
Results of full-scale superimposed load tests, conducted
in accordance with Figure 1, and providing comparative load
capacity and deflection information, shall be submitted. A
minimum of two decks for each reinforcement method shall
be tested.
4.8.2 Test Procedures:
1. A No. 20 gage [0.0359 inch (0.91 mm)] steel deck
% (ASTM A 653 SS Grade 33), 3 inches (76 mm) deep with
12-inch (304.8 mm) rib spacing, designed for composite
use, shall be used.
2. Two and one-half inches (63.5 mm) of concrete fill,
having a specified compressive strength of 3, 000 psi (20.7
MPa), shall be used.
a. One set of specimens containing concrete fill with
6 x 6—W1.4 x W1.4(WWF), 1 inch (25.mm) below the top
of the slab.
b. One set of specimens containing concrete fill with
fibers.
3. The composite deck shall be loaded at the quarter
points in approximately eight equal increments, until failure.
Increments can be determined from the theoretical load
capacity of the composite construction.
4. Ultimate flexural load capacity shall be determined for
each set. At least three dial gauges equally spaced at
midspan shall be used for deflection readings. Deflection
readings shall be reported.
4.8.3 Conditions of Acceptance:
a. Average ultimate flexural capacity of the decks with
fibers shall equal or exceed the average ultimate flexural
capacity of the decks with WWF.
b. The average mean shear transfer coefficient (VT) for
the decks with the fibers shall equal or exceed the average
mean transfer coefficient for the deck with the WWF.
5.0 QUALITY CONTROL
% 5.1 A quality control manual complying with the ICC-ES
% Acceptance Criteria for Quality Control Manuals (AC10)
% shall be submitted. The quality control program shall include
information assuring compliance with ASTM A 820.
5.2 Third-party follow-up inspections are not required
under this acceptance criteria.
% 6.0 EVALUATION REPORT RECOGNITION
6.1 The evaluation report shall include requirements
indicating that:
ACCEPTANCE CRITERIA FOR STEEL FIBERS IN CONCRETE
6.1.1 The concrete with steel fibers shall comply with
ASTM C 1116, Type I.
6.1.2 Use of the steel fibers shall be approved by the
project engineer or architect.
6.1.3 Structural reinforcement shall be provided when
required by the IBC or UBC.
6.1.4 A batch ticket signed by a ready-mix
representative, shall be available to the building inspector
For SI: 1 inch = 25.4 mm, 1 foot = 304.8 mm.
FIGURE 1—TEST ASSEMBLY FOR SECTION 4.8 WITH 10-FOOT SPAN
upon request. The batch ticket shall be in accordance to
ASTM C 94.
% 6.2 When recognition is sought for use in plain concrete
% slabs supported directly on the ground, and testing in
% accordance with Section 4.6 of this criteria is not performed,
% the evaluation report shall include this requirement:
% Installation of the plain concrete slabs supported directly on
% the ground, shall be limited to areas not subject to exposure
% to freezing and thawing conditions or deicing chemicals.#