Hybrid fiber influence on strength and toughness of RC beams

In this paper, a newly developed method of evaluating the shear toughness of fiber reinforced RC beams in terms of its post-peak nominal average equivalent shear strength was investigated. This method is simple and the advantages are significant. Based on the investigation on the workability of hybrid fiber reinforced self-compacting concrete (HFRSCC), this paper analyzed the influence of various fiber types, including steel macro-fiber and hybrid fiber (macro-steel fiber+macro plastic fiber) on the shear strength and shear toughness of RC beams. The major test variables are the fiber contents, fiber types and stirrup ratios. The effects of stirrups and hybrid fibers on improving of beam toughness by the novel method are compared. The results indicate that hybrid fibers can evidently enhance both the shear toughness and the ultimate shear bearing capacity.