How do steel fibres perform in concrete?
Steel fibres are normally deformed at their ends or over their entire length. These deformations allow for better anchorage of the fibre within the concrete matrix than that obtained by the simple friction between steel and concrete. Steel fibres are more or less uniformly distributed throughout the concrete. Their orientation is spatial. Typical spacing between two fibres is between 10 and 25 mm. Thus, steel fibres can block micro-cracks at their inception and subsequently prevent them from developing into macro-cracks. In the event a macro-crack does develop, the steel fibres act as tiny rebars, where the main anchorage is obtained through the deformation devices of the fibres.
