Work

Role of local fiber content and orientation on the scatter of flexural fatigue behavior in steel fiber-reinforced concrete

Year: 2025

Type: article

Abstract: This study investigates the scatter in fatigue life (N) of fiber-reinforced concrete (FRC) as a function of variability in local fiber orientation and content. To this end, three FRC series were produced with fiber contents of 0.3%, 0.6%, and 1.0%. All specimens were scanned using micro-computed tomography (microCT) and subsequently tested under flexural fatigue.The results show a clear correlation between fiber orientation and fatigue strength: within each series, specimens with a higher orientation factor ηX (which quantifies the degree of fiber alignment along the longitudinal axis) withstood a greater number of cycles to failure. A strong relationship was also identified between the number of fibers crossing the central section (Nfib,c) and fatigue life. Moreover, ηX and Nfib,c were found not to be independent variables, as a higher number of fibers is associated with better orientation. Finally, a model is proposed to estimate fatigue life as a function of ηX and fiber dosage, which shows adequate accuracy in predicting the scatter in N for sets of identical specimens.

Source: Case Studies in Construction Materials

DOI: 10.1016/j.cscm.2025.e05654

Authors: Álvaro Mena-Alonso, Ángel Aragón-Torre, Miguel A. Vicente, Dorys C. González, Jesús Mínguez

Institution: Universidad de Burgos

Language: English

Topic: Innovative concrete reinforcement materials

Subfield: Civil and Structural Engineering

Field: Engineering

Domain: Physical Sciences

Open Access status: gold

Estimated APC paid: $2,660

Funders: Ministerio de Ciencia, Innovación y Universidades, Universidad de Burgos, Junta de Castilla y León