Title: Effectiveness of Macro Synthetic Fibers to Control Cracking in Composite Metal Decks

Author(s): Salah Altoubat and Klaus-Alexander Rieder

Publication: Symposium Paper

Volume: 319

Issue:

Appears on pages(s): 3.1-3.14

Keywords: Macro Synthetic Fibers, Composite Slabs, Steel Deck, Restrained Shrinkage, Creep, Crack width

DOI: 10.14359/51700852

Date: 6/1/2017

Abstract:
This paper presents results of an ongoing experimental program to study the effectiveness of macro synthetic fibers to control cracking in composite metal slabs. Both short- and long-term performance is being investigated in this experimental program. Two types of experiments for composite slabs on corrugated steel deck are conducted: restrained shrinkage tests and large-scale loaded composite continuous slabs. The restrained shrinkage test provides data on crack width caused by shrinkage, while the large- scale continuous slab was intended to monitor the crack width development across the middle support caused by the load, shrinkage and creep. The crack width measurements of both experiments indicate that the investigated fiber can provide comparable performance in terms of long-term crack control to conventional steel mesh reinforced concrete specified by the standards. Crack width measurements in the restrained shrinkage test over a period of 250 days of drying suggest that macro synthetic fibers at the minimum dosage specified by the ANSI/SDI can provide similar crack control as the minimum steel mesh. Long-term monitoring of load-induced cracking in the slab at the middle support over a period of up to 5 years indicate that the crack width for both reinforcing systems (fibers and steel mesh) increased asymptotically with loading time and stabilized thereafter. The results indicated that creep across the crack occurred for both reinforcing systems suggesting that the creep deformation across the crack is not only related to the type of reinforcing materials and the creep of the fiber/cement paste interface but also by creep of concrete section in compression.