Mesoscale modelling of SFRC based on 3D RBSM considering the effects of fiber shape and orientation

In this study, a mesoscale model of steel fiber reinforced concrete (SFRC) based on 3D RBSM (rigid body spring model), was proposed to take the fiber shapes (straight and hook end) and orientation into account in concrete. The steel fibers were distributed into the Voronoi mesh system of RBSM, and a zero-size spring was assigned at the interface of Voronoi mesh crossed by discrete fiber, to transfer the fiber pullout load to the nearest nodes of RBSM. The straight steel fiber was modeled based on proposed local bond-slip relationship and the mechanical hook action was proposed additionally to model the hook end fiber. The model can predict the macroscopic response and cracking of SFRC made with straight and hook end fibers under direct tensile and bending loads. The analysis results found the mechanical hook action as the governing parameter for hook end fiber then the bond-slip properties for straight fiber. The fiber orientation and matrix spalling due to friction induced pullout load component, were found prominent for steel fiber. The anisotropy induced by fiber shapes and orientations was headed by hook end fiber with superior macroscopic load capacity by delaying the crack propagation and transformation.

Automated summary

In this study, a mesoscale model of steel fiber reinforced concrete (SFRC) considering different fiber shapes (straight and hook end) and orientations was proposed. The model successfully predicted the macroscopic response and cracking behavior of SFRC under direct tensile and bending loads. The mechanical hook action was found to be the most important parameter for hook end fibers, while bond-slip properties played a crucial role for straight fibers. The anisotropy caused by fiber shapes and orientations was mainly controlled by hook end fibers, which exhibited superior load capacity and delayed crack propagation.