USE OF STEEL FIBRE CONCRETE IN THE SEISMIC DESIGN OF FRAMES

This paper describes some tests conducted using steel fibre reinforced concrete. A review of past research on mechanical properties and structural applications of steel fibre concrete is given. Flexural and axial compression tests were undertaken to ascertain relevant mechanical properties having established suitable proportions for a steel fibre mix via preliminary trials. Four new full size structural reinforced concrete units comprising two beam-column assemblies and two beam assemblies with column slabs were then cast. The design details of these units were such that subsequent cyclic loading tests involving progressive static simulations of seismic actions would give indications as to the possible benefits of incorporating fibre concrete within critical regions of seismic resistant frames. The mix-proportions of the fibre-concrete mix are tabulated and results of the various flexural and axial compression tests are shown graphically by means of load deflection curves. (TRRL)