Investigation of fibre reinforced concrete beams

Abstract

This study explored the use of steel and polypropylene fibres in full scale beams. It sought to meet the following objectives: • Assessed the performance of fibres on reinforced concrete beams • Assessed the performance of reinforced concrete beams with or without stirrups • Assessed the influence of different effective shear span to depth ratio with regard to fibre inclusion • Assessed the failure mode of each individual beam specimen • Assessed deflections and displacements of each individual beam The literature review discusses the inclusion of fibres in concrete. Moreover it examines similar studies which have investigated steel and polypropylene fibres in beams. This study was composed of twelve beam specimens, (4 plain concrete, 4 steel fibre reinforced concrete, 4 polypropylene fibre reinforced concrete) individually tested in the lab of the faculty of Givil engineering of the University of Malta. Results show that the inclusion of fibres in concrete beams enhances their overall performance. Steel fibres exhibited superior performance when compared to polypmpylene fibres.