Comparative Analysis of the Load-Bearing Capacity and Crack Resistance of Reinforced Concrete and Fiber-Reinforced Concrete Airfield Slabs

The results of determining the bearing capacity, deformability and crack resistance of full-size airfield slabs made of reinforced concrete and fiber-reinforced concrete are presented on the basis of experimental studies conducted in laboratory conditions. The slabs were manufactured by Velikodolinsky Reinforced Concrete Plant LLC by order of the Odessa State Academy of Construction and Architecture. The authors have developed a stand for testing slabs using a cantilever loading scheme in accordance with the regulatory documents in force in Ukraine. Two slabs were studied: a serial reinforced concrete airfield slab and the same slab, but with additional steel fiber reinforcement in the amount of 1% of the volume of the concrete mixture. It has been shown that the load-bearing capacity of airfield slabs with additional reinforcement with steel fiber increases significantly; at the same time, deflections are reduced and crack resistance increases. The bearing capacity of airfield slabs with additional dispersed reinforcement increased by 29%. The maximum deflection decreased by 12.7%. The nature of crack formation changed qualitatively: the process began at a higher load, and the final crack opening width decreased significantly. These results indicate the high efficiency of additional reinforcement of airfield slabs with steel fiber.