Synthetic fibre reinforced concrete for precast panels: Material characterization and experimental study

The present paper describes an experimental study on structural behaviour of precast facade panels made of Self Compacting Concrete reinforced with synthetic fibres (SCFRC). The main research aims concern the material characterization and, at structural level, the possibility of replacing, in the external plates of precast panels, the traditional welded mesh with synthetic fibers. Fracture tests were performed on both normal weight and lightweight concrete where fibres may be particularly efficient in reducing the well-known brittleness of this material. The application of FRC to the production of precast panels is a promising technique since it allows several advantages; in fact the possibility of replacing conventional reinforcement with fibers allows for time and cost-savings and, since the minimum concrete cover is no longer required, may reduce the panel weight and the transportation costs. The experiments were performed on both traditional (RC) and SCFRC full-scale panels; they have been loaded up to failure to observe their response in terms of bending moment versus displacement and crack development.