Influence of steel fibers and mineral additions on cracking behavior of reinforced concrete tension members

Resumen

In this work the influence of steel fibers and mineral additions (silica fume and fly-ash) on cracking behavior of reinforced concrete tension members was investigated. Hooked-end steel fibers with aspect ratio of 65 were used in volumes of 0,75%, 1,00% e 1,50%. Sixteen tension tests were performed in tension members 800 mm long with square cross section of 150 mm of side reinforced with single bar of CA-50 steel with diameter of 20 mm for determining crack widths. The results showed that steel fibers reduced the average crack width up to 75% and mineral additions improved cracking behavior of concrete. Crack widths were compared with suggested values by Brazilian, American and European recommendations, which were unsuitable for estimating crack width in steel fiber reinforced concrete.