Innovative applications of Steel Fibre Reinforced Concrete in precast structures: non-linear finite element analyses for reinforcement optimization

Steel Fibre Reinforced Concrete (SFRC) has emerged as a practical and innovative material whose employment allows a partial or total substitution of conventional reinforcement with significant advantages in terms of cost and production time saving. Since ‘70s, several researches has shown the important improvement of concrete durability and mechanical properties resulting from the use of steel fibres. Non-linear numerical analyses may be performed to exploit the mechanical properties of SFRC in order to find the best combination of steel fibres and conventional reinforcement (optimized reinforcement). This paper presents some examples of reinforcement optimization developed through non-linear finite element analyses of precast elements in which conventional reinforcement is usually adopted.