Stress-strain model for confined fiber-reinforced concrete under axial compression

Abstract

Confinement in concrete can improve the descending branch of the stress-strain relationship of concrete. The addition of steel fiber in concrete can also improve the descending branch of the stress-strain relationship of concrete. The combination of the use of both can double the impact significantly on the post-peak response. It can be seen from the trend of the post-peak response that the values of both 0.85fccf and 0.5fccf can be well predicted. The study involved an experimental investigation on the effect of confinement on square column specimens reinforced with steel fiber. From the experimental program, it is proven that the use of combination of confining steel and steel fiber works very well which is indicated by the better improvement on the post-peak response. The proposed equations can predict the actual stress-strain curves quite accurately which include the effects of confinement parameters (Zm) and steel fiber volumetric parameter (Vf).