Compilation and study of a database of tests and results on flexural creep behavior of fibre reinforced concrete specimens

This paper examines the effect of fibres on the flexural creep of fibre reinforced concrete (FRC) in the cracked state based on the analysis of experimental results compiled over the last years. These creep tests were carried out on pre-cracked FRC prismatic specimens, reinforced with either steel, glass, or synthetic fibres. Besides the fibre material, the following variables have also been taken into account: fibre contents, concrete compressive strength resulting from different mix designs, and level of load applied during the flexural creep test. All the specimens have been subjected to sustained flexural loads for at least 90 days following the test setup methodology developed by the authors. Several experimental outputs were retained as main parameters of the residual flexural response under sustained loads: creep coefficients referred to both the origin and the beginning of creep stage, and crack opening rates, all of them at 14, 30 and 90 days. The relationships between these parameters and concrete compressive strength, applied flexural load, fibre type and content have been analysed.