Shear Testing of Steel Fiber-Reinforced Lightweight Concrete Beams without Web Reinforcement

Abstract

To investigate the effect of steel fibers on the shear strength of lightweight concrete beams without web reinforcement, a total of 12 beams were tested under four-point loads, including six steel fiber-reinforced lightweight concrete (SFRLC) beams and three normalweight steel fiber-reinforced concrete (SFRC) beams. The variables include the shear span-depth ratio (a/d) (2, 3, and 4), steel-fiber volume fraction (V-f = 0, 0.5, and 0.75%) and type of concrete (lightweight versus normalweight). The addition of steel fibers with V-f of 0.75% was found to increase the shear capacity by 30% and promote a ductility of 5.3 or higher. The test results also indicate that the aid adversely affects the shear capacity. Models for SFRC beam shear strength were reexamined using the current and prior test data to assess the shear strength of the SFRLC beams. Finally, a design shear strength equation for SFRLC beams without web reinforcement has been proposed based on the review.