Statistical Approach to Effect of Factors Involved in Bond Performance of Steel Fiber-Reinforced Concrete

[EN] The positive effect of fibers on the bond of reinforcing bars in concrete is widely recognized. Different authors, however, come to different conclusions regarding particular points. This research analyzes the results of a series of pullout tests to obtain statistically supported conclusions regarding the bond performance of normal-strength steel fiber-reinforced concrete (SFRC). To do so, the experimental program was conceived by observing statistical criteria (design of experiments [DOE] technique), and the results were studied using the analysis of variance (ANOVA). It has been shown that the role fibers play in the bond of reinforcing bars in concrete is of the same importance as that of concrete cover or reinforcing bar diameter. It is especially remarkable that the mere fact of adding fibers¿regardless of the amount¿considerably increases the ductility of the bond failure, thus underlining the role of fibers in bond performance as passive confinement.