SFRC flat slabs punching behaviour - Experimental research

The use of randomly distributed steel fibres in the concrete mix improves its mechanical properties. In the particular case of a flat slab-column connection, this solution can provide slabs with an increased load capacity and deformation capacity, allowing a potential reduction of reinforcement. This work presents the experimental study of the behaviour of SFRC flat slabs up to failure under a concentrated loading, accompanied by the study of the mechanical properties of the SFRC, which consisted in three-point loading notched beams, compression and splitting tests. In this study, the hooked end steel fibre dosages varied between 0% and 1.25% by volume. Test results showed that the inclusion of steel fibres influences both slab stiffness and its load capacity. Increments of load capacity up to 64% were obtained in slabs with SFRC compared with the reference slab without fibres. The experimental results were compared with the predictions provided by several existing models.