Title: Test methods and a theoretical model to assess shrinkage cracking of steel fibre reinforced concrete overlays

Author(s): Jonas Carlswärd

Publication: NCR

Volume: 38

Issue: 4

Appears on pages(s): 61-78

Keywords: Shrinkage, restraint, cracks, steel fibres, bond, overlay, theoretical model

DOI:

Date: 12/17/2008

Abstract:
Shrinkage cracking of concrete overlays with and without steel fibres has been assessed through laboratory testing and theoretical analysis. Test results showed that steel fibres limit crack widths although the contribution was not found to be sufficient to distribute cracks in areas of poor or non-existent bond to the substrate. Results further verified that a distributed pattern of fine cracks is obtained even for un-reinforced concrete when the bond is high, i.e. steel fibres, or other reinforcement, is not required to limit crack widths for this situation. An analytical model, developed to assess the risk of cracking and to predict crack widths of steel fibre reinforced concrete (SFRC) overlays, was found to give reasonable correlation with experimental results