Influence of fibre orientation on the performance of steel fibre-reinforced concrete

Abstract

The performance of fibre-reinforced materials in the hardened state depends on the material behaviour, the production method and influences related to the structure. The position and the orientation of fibres in a structure can differ from the homogenous distribution and the random orientation in a mixer. Due to the flow of the concrete, fibres are able to orient which makes the prediction of the structural behaviour of fibre-reinforced concrete more complex, but it also offers the potential for an improved structural performance. Synergetic effects were observed with regard to flowable concrete related to the fibre efficiency. This paper discusses two studies on the effect of fibre orientation on the performance of steel fibre- reinforced concrete. The first study discusses the relation between fibre orientation and the distribution of fibre orientation. The analysis indicates that the variation of fibre orientation follows a Gaussian law and the distribution of fibre orientation can be predicted from the average fibre orientation. The second study on tunnel segments discusses the influence of production on the fibre orientation and how this affects the splitting tensile strength. The fibre orientation affects the fibre efficiency and the structural performance of steel fibre-reinforced concrete.