Title:
Comparison of Post-Tensioned Slabs with Steel Fiber Reinforcement versus Conventional Bonded Reinforcement (Prepublished)
Author(s):
Taye Ojo, Carol Hayek, Hendrik Thooft and Carin Roberts-Wollmann
Publication:
Structural Journal
Volume:
Issue:
Appears on pages(s):
Keywords:
banded-banded; bonded; concrete; flat plate; post-tensioned; prestressed; slab; steel fibers; tendon; unbonded; uniform-banded
DOI:
10.14359/51751798
Date:
6/17/2026
Abstract:
This paper compares the flexural performance of post-tensioned slabs with steel fiber reinforcement to post-tensioned slabs with conventional bonded reinforcement in terms of behavior at service and factored loads and flexural strength. A total of five one-third scale models of a two-way post-tensioned flat plate were tested under uniformly distributed loads. All slabs had the same dimensions and were designed to meet allowable stresses per ACI 318. The specimens varied with respect to the post-tensioning tendon layouts (banded-uniform vs banded-banded), post-tensioning type (unbonded vs bonded), and nonprestressed reinforcement (conventional bonded reinforcement vs distributed steel fibers). Each nine-bay specimen was loaded to service and factored load multiple times, then loaded to failure. The performances of all specimens were very similar at service and factored loads. All specimens with unbonded tendons achieved similar failure loads, while the specimens with bonded post-tensioning tendons achieved a considerably higher load at failure.