Toughness Characterization of Fiber-Reinforced Concrete: Which Standard to Use?
Banthia, N
Department of Civil Engineering, The University of British Columbia, Vancouver, BC, Canada

Mindess, S
Department of Civil Engineering, The University of British Columbia, Vancouver, BC, Canada

(Received 24 February 2003; accepted 21 October 2003)

Abstract
The major advantage of fiber-reinforced concrete (FRC) over its plain counterpart is in its improved energy absorption capability, or ‘toughness.’ There are currently several standard test methods available to characterize the toughness of fiber-reinforced concrete, but little is known of the relationship between the toughness results they produce for a given fiber-reinforced concrete. An attempt is made here to compare the results produced by three of these techniques: ASTM C 1018, ASTM C 1399, and JSCE SF-4 for the same concrete and to assess the subjectivity encountered in toughness characterization. It was found that there is no firm and reliable correlation between these three procedures; they would rank different FRCs differently. Only a weak correlation exists between the toughness parameters generated by the C 1399 and the SF-4 standards, and the correlation is highly dependent on the fiber type. The ASTM C 1018 procedure is the least reliable of all and produces Toughness Indices and R_M,N values that are very difficult to interpret.

Keywords:
concrete, fiber replacement, standards, testing, toughness

Paper ID: JTE11901
DOI: 10.1520/JTE11901

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Author Banthia, N Affiliation Department of Civil Engineering, The University of British Columbia, Vancouver, BC, Canada Author Mindess, S Affiliation Department of Civil Engineering, The University of British Columbia, Vancouver, BC, Canada Author Banthia N, Mindess S Title Toughness Characterization of Fiber-Reinforced Concrete: Which Standard to Use? Symposium , Committee: on