Concrete Materials Research Institute - CMRI
[Skip Navigation Links] Steel Fiber Reinforced Concrete Beam-Column Joint Test
Department:
Civil & Environmental Engineering
Graduate Research Team
Professor Z. Bayasi, Ph.D., S.E., P.E.
Michael John Gebman, M.S.C.E., EIT
Henry Bart. Hill, M.S.C.E., P.E., S.I.
Civil/Structural Design Engineer at SDGE
Jesse Sandoval, M.S.C.E., P.E., M.B.A., B.S.M.E.
Senior Account Executive at SDGE
Updated 3/21/04
Purpose:
This test demonstrated that addition of steel fibers to reinforced concrete seismic beam-column joints improves strength, ductility and toughness of the joints. By using steel fibers, hoop spacing in the joint, can be relaxed as steel fibers will have an effect similar to that of reinforcing steel.Six beam-column joints were tested under a quasi-static simulated seismic loading. Loading was simulated by placing 2 hydraulic jacks between the beam and its 2 adjacent strong walls. The joints, beams and columns were constructed in accordance with the building code (IBC 2000). Two joints consisted of plain concrete and ties spaced at 4 inches. Concrete containing steel fibers, at a 2% volume fraction, was used in two joints with ties spaced at 6 inches, and in two joints with ties spaced at 8 inches. All test specimens were constructed at half scale. (For typical section see Detail 1 and Figure A.)
The significance of this test is in the applicability of steel fiber reinforced concrete. Currently steel fiber reinforced concrete is being used in industrial floors and facilities of that nature. However, current building code does not have specifications for this special concrete, so it has yet to become common practice. This special concrete mix has a great potential for engineering practice as it can enhance structural performance, reduce amount of bar reinforcement, provide for a simplified construction technique and lower construction cost.
Graphic of Dramix Steel Fiber, donated by Bekaert
- Testing Conducted: July, 2000
- Photographic Documention of Construction Phases
Thesis Defense Presentation, by Michael Gebman:Application of SFRC to Seismic Beam-Column Joints, Part 1 (2 MB)
Part 1 Contents: Problem statements, adavantages of fibers, fiber properties, research & testing, experimental design, lab setup, mix properties, and simulated earthquake loading
Application of SFRC to Seismic Beam-Column Joints, Part 2 (1 MB)
Part 2 Contents: Results, hysteresis loops, performance comparisons, analysis, conclusions, and other applications of SFRCNote: Links are Microsoft Powerpoint Presentations
Publications:Application of Steel Fiber Reinforced Concrete in Seismic Beam-Column Joints
Gebman, Michael; Masters Thesis, San Diego State University, 2001, Library Call # TA2.2.G43 2001
Abstract#1
Download the Thesis (pdf format) (1.5 MB)Note: documents in PDF format (PDF) require Adobe Acrobat Reader, download Acrobat.
Reduction of Lateral Reinforcement in Seismic Beam-Column Connection via the Application of Steel Fibers
Published in: American Concrete Institute, Structural Journal, Vol. 99, No. 6, Nov-Dec 2002
Authors: Bayasi, and Gebman
Abstract#2
SFRC Project Quality Control Testing
Reports by Henry Hill (in MS Word format)
Cover
Mix Review
Quality Control
Lab TestingNote: documents in Word format (DOC) require Microsoft Viewer, download word.
Contributors:Concrete Materials Research Institute (CMRI)
Superior Ready Mix Concrete, L.P.
A1 Hydraulics
Bekaert Corporation
Measurements Group Inc.
Precision Welding
Quality Reinforcing Inc.
SDG&E
White Cap Industries
For questions or comments regarding The SFRC Project mbayasi@mail.sdsu.edu
