Bond performance of SFRC considering random distributions of aggregates and steel fibers

Abstract This study aims at identifying complex bond transfer mechanisms of SFRC materials in internal meso-scale level. To this end, pull-out tests were conducted considering concrete cover thickness and steel fiber contents as key variables. The effect of radial pressure and random distributions of steel fibers and aggregates were investigated by using robust finite element (FE) simulations for more detailed interpretations to unobservable internal cracking behaviors of test results. Test and analysis results showed that development and propagation behaviors of radial pressure-induced internal cracks are significantly affected by distributions of coarse aggregates and steel fibers, and it also appeared that the addition of steel fibers to conventional concrete can effectively improve its plasticity performances by bridging radial cracks and confining local concrete.