Material characterization for RC beam-column joints with and without steel fibers

This research hypothesized that incorporating 0.7% hooked-end steel fibers significantly enhances concrete's mechanical behavior, particularly improving ductility and flexural performance for seismic-resistant structures. The study aimed to demonstrate that steel fibers can effectively complement conventional transverse reinforcement in beam-column joints.
Experimental results strongly support these propositions. Fiber-reinforced concrete exhibited superior toughness and deformation capacity in both flexural and compression tests. BSFR specimens showed load-deflection curves with substantially larger area under the curve, indicating higher energy absorption compared to plain concrete (PB). Similarly, CSF cylinders displayed more ductile stress-strain response with greater post-peak deformation capacity. Tensile tests on rebars (Bar numbers 3, 4, and 6) confirmed expected mechanical properties, providing reliable data for numerical modeling.
Notable findings include maintained workability (slump 16-18 cm despite fiber addition), substantially improved post-cracking behavior, and reduced brittleness. Comprehensive material characterization ensures full reproducibility. Complete stress-strain and load-deflection curves with mean values and standard deviations facilitate robust statistical analysis.
This multifaceted dataset validates numerical models of FRC elements, enables optimized mixture design for seismic applications, and allows direct performance comparison between plain and fiber-reinforced concrete under monotonic loading.
Methodology utilized certified universal testing machines (Instron, Tinius Olsen) with precision data acquisition (National Instruments). Instrumentation included LVDTs and extensometers for accurate displacement and strain measurement. All procedures adhered to ASTM and NMX-ONNCCE standards.
Data Repository Structure
1. Beam Data and Photos: Flexural test results for fiber-reinforced and plain concrete beams, including Excel sheets with processed data, load-deflection curves, and failure mode photographs showing fiber bridging effects.
2. Aggregate Characterization and Slump Tests: Detailed coarse/fine aggregate properties (gradation, density, absorption) and slump test results for both concrete types in compiled Excel sheets.
3. Cylinder Data and Photos: Uniaxial compression test results categorized into fiber-reinforced, plain concrete, and comparative datasets. Includes stress-strain curves, mechanical properties, and failure mode photographs.
4. Steel Rebar Data and Photos: Tensile test results for Bar numbers 3, 4, and 6, featuring stress-strain curves, mechanical properties, and photographic documentation of specimens.