Fiber reinforcement as an alternative to the compressed zone linear reinforcement and the flexible concrete elements stretched zone prestressing

Abstract The results of a numerical experiment in the framework of a theoretical study of the strength and crack resistance of the reinforced concrete beams available or non-available in fiber reinforcement are presented. The fiber reinforcement presence influence on the strength and crack resistance of the reinforced concrete beams’ normal sections is determined by varying the following parameters: working reinforcement class; percentage of reinforcement with steel reinforcement; the presence and degree of the reinforced zone reinforcement prestressing; the presence or absence of the beam compressed zone reinforcement; the steel fiber reinforcement presence. Reinforcement of concrete with steel fiber had a significant impact on the theoretical strength and crack resistance of the reinforced concrete elements’ normal sections, both in the presence and in the absence of the working reinforcement prestressing. The calculation showed that in some cases the presence of fiber reinforcement will eliminate the prestressing of the working reinforcement or significantly reduce its level, abandon the reinforcement in the compressed zone and, under the certain conditions, replace the high-strength prestressed reinforcement A600 with the reinforcement A400 without increasing the total consumption of steel by the sample.