Effect of fiber volume content on tension softening behavior and shear failure mechanism of steel fiber reinforced porosity‐free concrete beams

Abstract High‐strength concrete has been developed rapidly over the past few decades. In particular, prestressed concrete girders using ultra‐high‐strength fiber‐reinforced concrete have been widely applied in Japan. To utilize these materials in structural members, the reinforcing effect of the fibers should be considered in the design of the members. In this study, we aimed to clarify the fiber‐reinforcing effect of extremely high‐compressive‐strength concrete, called porosity‐free concrete (PFC), on the shear capacity of PFC‐RC/PC beams. By conducting a bending test of the notched beams and a shear test of RC or PC beams, methods for determining the tension softening curve of the PFC and shear resistance mechanism of reinforcing fibers in the RC/PC beams were investigated.