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Relationships between fibre distribution, workability and the mechanical

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DOI: 10.1617/s11527-005-9017-4

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Materials and Structures (2006) 39:411–420
DOI 10.1617/s11527-005-9017-4
Relationships between fibre distribution, workability and
the mechanical properties of SFRC applied to precast roof
elements
Liberato Ferrara · Alberto Meda
Received: 5 July 2004 / Accepted: 19 April 2005

C RILEM 2006
Abstract A series of 40 precast prestressed roof el-
ements was cast, employing a self-compacting steel
fibre reinforced concrete (SCSFRC). They are being
used in an industrial building. The fibre distribution
within the roof elements was investigated by means
of a suitable test procedure and correlated with results
obtained from cube samples drawn from the batches
and tested in the fresh state. Companion slabs were
also cast and tested under four point bending, in order
to study the correlation between fibre distribution and
the mechanical properties of the composite. The work
presented here analyses the correlation between fibre
distribution, workability and mechanical properties of
steel fibre reinforced concrete (SFRC) with the aim of
optimising both its fresh- and hardened-state properties
for a series production of precast SFRC roof elements.
Résumé 40 éléments préfabriquées précontraintes ont
été fabriqués avec un béton auto-plaçant renforcés des
fibres pour la couverture d’un bâtiment industriel. La
distribution des fibres au sein de chaque élément a été
étudiée par une methode d’essai specialement conçue,
et mise en correlation avec les résultats obtenus par des
cubes préleves des couleés et essaies a l’etat frais. Des
Liberato Ferrara
Department of Structural Engineering, Politecnico di
Milano, Italy
Alberto Meda
Department of Engineering Technologies and Design,
University of Bergamo, Italy
dalles ont etés aussi mise en ouvre et essaies en flexion
4 points au fin d’étudier les liaisons entre la distribu-
tion des fibres e les proprietès mecaniques (indices de
ténacité) du beton renforcés par elles. Ce travail donc
analyse ces liasons entre la distribution des fibres, la
maniabilité et le comportement mécanique des betons
renforcés des fibres, au fin d’optimiser ses proprietés
aux etats frais et endurci dans le cadre de la fabrication
des éléments des couverture préfabriquées.
1. Introduction
A large amount of experimental and theoretical re-
search work has been done over the last decades, dat-
ing back to 1972 [1], focusing on the possibility of
replacing conventional shear reinforcement with steel
fibres in reinforced and prestressed concrete elements.
Among the several well known advantages which may
come from such a replacement, what was quite early
recognised was the possibility of having, within a struc-
ture, randomly oriented wirelike reinforcing elements,
homogeneously spaced closer than the minimum dis-
tance obtainable with the smallest stirrups. In these last
few years a wide research project has been completed
in Italy, aimed at assessing the reliability of steel fibres
when used as the only shear reinforcement in precast
prestressed thin-web roof elements [2]. These experi-
ences, and similar ones on SFRC hollow-core slabs [3],
have shown that the achievement within a structural
element of a homogeneous distribution of randomly
412
oriented fibres, is a crucial point in respect of guaran-
teeing the structural performance with a suitable degree
of repeatability, in the framework of a series production.
The correlation between fibre distribution, and fresh-
and hardened-state properties of SFRCs also deserves
deeper investigation, in regard to designing enhanced
cement composites “tailored” for specific structural ap-
plications [4].
The unfavourable effects of steel fibres on the work-
ability and rheology of fresh concrete have been widely
discussed [5] and likewise the remedies which can be
adopted to avoid such drawbacks are well known [6].
Nevertheless, whenever the homogeneous distribution
and random orientation of fibres can be guaranteed
within a fresh concrete mass when poured out of the
mixer, the casting into formworks and the compaction
by vibration lead fibres to be oriented along preferential
directions [7], with a not negligible tendency to segre-
gation. Barragàn [8] has shown that deviations from
homogeneous distribution of fibres may strongly influ-
ence the “material” properties, as measured at the lab-
specimen scale, even outweighing the effects of other
relevant factors, such as specimen size and notch depth.
As far the roof elements this paper deals with, where
fibres have to be the only reinforcement against shear
and transverse flexure, the lack of homogeneity in fi-
bre distribution may explain unforeseen failure mech-
anisms, occurring even well before the attainment of
anticipated strength and ductility limits [2].
The research work presented in this paper developed
along two parallel directions, both concurring with the
aim of implementing SFRC technology in production
processes of a precast factory. On one hand a suitable
non- or lightly- destructive test method to measure the
distribution of fibres in a structural element was cali-
brated [9]. On the other, an “optimum” mix-design was
looked for, coupling enhanced hardened state proper-
ties with fresh-state requisites of rheological stability
and high flowability [10]. In this way the effects of cast-
ing and compaction on the distribution of fibres could
be mitigated, thus reducing the possibility of struc-
tural defects from spots with a lesser or nil amount
of fibres. This led to the use of a fibre reinforced self-
compacting concrete (SCSFRC), the benefits of which
for the precast industry have been recognised in sev-
eral applications [11–13]. The reliability of this choice
was first assessed on a few reference prototypes and
further verified over a wide series of precast roof ele-
ments. The distribution of fibres within each of them
Materials and Structures (2006) 39:411–420
has been investigated by means of the proposed method
and checked by X-ray inspections, further attempting a
correlation with mechanical properties of the hardened
composite. The results stand as an interesting exam-
ple showing how far the precast industry can exploit
the advantages coming from the SCSFRC technology,
mainly with reference to the connection between fibre
distribution, and the fresh- and hardened-state proper-
ties of high performance concretes.
2. Description of the test method
The proposed method for the evaluation of fibre distri-
bution in SFRC elements is based on the determination
of the fibre content from cores drilled in the structures.
After crushing the specimen (placed in a steel box in
order to avoid loss of the material) by means of a com-
pression machine (Fig. 1), the fibres are carefully ex-
tracted from the crushed concrete by means of a magnet
and their weight, determined to the nearest 0.1 g, is then
referred to the previously measured volume of the core.
In order to perform lightly-destructive tests and ob-
tain meaningful results, it is important to determine
the optimal core diameter. A core-diameter less than
15 mm allows monitoring of only a small part of the
structure, with a high dispersion in the results, and re-
quires a large amount of cores in order to have av-
erage data close to the actual fibre content. On the
other hand, with an excessively large diameter (more
than 150 mm), the structures can sustain damage which
is not easily repairable and zones with an insufficient
number of fibres can be hidden.
Fig. 1 Concrete core under compression machine.
Materials and Structures (2006) 39:411–420 413

Table 1 Mix design of SFRC

Cement type CEM I 52.5 R 380 kg/m3

Fly ash 60 kg/m3
Sieved sand 0/3 mm 120 kg/m3
Natural river sand 0/12 mm 920 kg/m3
Gravel 8/15 mm 865 kg/m3
Acrylic superplasticiser 3.5 lt/m3
Water 150 lt/m3
Steel fibres 45/30 50 kg/m3

Table 2 Mix design of SCSFRC

Cement type CEM I 52.5 R 400 kg/m3

Fig. 2 Optimisation of core diameter.
Through a series of tests on SFRC slabs with two
different thickness (40 mm and 60 mm) and three differ-
ent fibre contents (35 kg/m3 , 50 kg/m3 and 70 kg/m3 ) an
optimal core diameter has been determined. Four differ-
ent diameters have been initially considered: 16, 43, 92
and 190 mm, respectively corresponding to holes in the
structure of 25, 50, 100 and 200 mm. Figure 2 shows
the results obtained from the 40 mm thick slab with
50 kg/m3 fibres. The dispersion in the results is good
for specimens with a diameter larger than 43 mm. Sim-
ilar results have been obtained from the tests on other
slabs. A specimen diameter equal to 70 mm (compro-
mise value between 43 mm and 92 mm) has hence been
chosen for the following tests; with this core-size an
easily repairable 78 mm hole is drilled in the structure.
3. Mix design and fibre dispersion: check on
reference prototypes
The second step of the research consisted of the opti-
misation of the concrete mix design, with the aim of
reducing the effects of vibration, which is among the
main causes of fibre segregation. Starting from an ordi-
nary SFRC (Table 1), the addition of viscosity enhanc-
ing admixtures (VEA- actually a mix of water-soluble
chain-polymers) was first attempted. Cylinder speci-
mens 300 mm high were cast with the two mixes and
vibrated from 0 to 16 minutes.
After one day aging the cylinders were sawn into six
slices and fibre content in each one determined. Results
(Fig. 3) confirmed the effectiveness of VEA in enhanc-
ing the rheological stability of fresh concrete thus en-
Calcareous filler 50 kg/m3
Sieved sand 0/3 mm 825 kg/m3
Natural sand 0/12 mm 190 kg/m3
Gravel 8/15 mm 735 kg/m3
Acrylic superplasticiser 6 lt/m3
Water 160 lt/m3
Steel fibres 45/30 50 kg/m3
Viscosity enhancing admixture 2 lt/m3
suring, independently of vibration, a good homogene-
ity of fibre distribution along the casting direction [14].
As a mean of further optimisation of production pro-
cesses, a SCSFRC (Table 2) was finally resorted to;
for the prototype batch a slump flow of 630 mm was
measured.
A check of mechanical properties was performed
by means of compression tests on cubes (150 mm) and
four-point bending tests on notched beams, as recom-
mended by the Italian standard on SFRC [15]. The
results clearly show (Table 3) that SCSFRC, despite
a somewhat lower compressive strength, has almost
the same first cracking strength fIf as SFRC and fur-
thermore exhibits higher and less dispersed toughness
properties. The higher and lower scattered values of
ductility indices D0 and D1 can be attributed to a bet-
ter bond between fibres and matrix as well as to more
uniform distribution of fibres within the concrete mass,
less influenced by casting processes [16].
With reference to two 25 meter long roof element
prototypes (Fig. 4), field distribution of fibres was
hence investigated by means of cores drilled as in Fig. 5.
The SFRC prototype was vibrated for about 20 minutes
while less than 5 minutes was enough for the SCSFRC
one. Some cores have been further cut into two slices to
get information on the segregation of fibres. It clearly
shows the efficacy of the SCSFRC in guaranteeing a
414 Materials and Structures (2006) 39:411–420

Table 3 Material properties for SFRC and SCSFRC (mean values and coefficients of variation)

Mix n◦ of tests fcc (MPa) fIf (MPa) feq0−0.6 mm (MPa) feq0.6−3 mm (MPa)

SFRC 4 87.2 5.2 3.3% 5.48 19.8% 2.82 25.5%

SCSFRC 4 75.8 5.2 5.1% 6.8 12.3% 4.77 15%
feq0−0.6 f
Mix n◦ of tests D0 = fIf
D1 feq0.6−3
eq0−0.6

SFRC 4 1.05 22% 0.51 7.6%

SCSFRC 4 1.32 8% 0.7 7%

Fig. 4 Cross section of prototype roof elements.

Fig. 5 Cores drilled in the prototypes.

The connection between fibre distribution and me-

Fig. 3 Effects of vibration on fibre content in cylinder.
more uniform distribution of fibres within the proto-
types (Table 4) as well as in limiting the segregation of
fibres (Fig. 6), thanks to both the enhanced rheological
stability and reduced vibration.
chanical properties has been also tentatively investi-
gated. Four point bending tests on unnotched 60 mm
thick slabs (150 mm wide and 500 mm long, tested
over a 450 mm span) were performed. Both companion
specimens and slabs cored from the prototypes were
tested, the latter cut with their longitudinal axis par-
allel to the prototype one. Tests on core slabs were
performed both in the direction of casting and upside-
down with respect to it. Nominal stress vs. crack open-
ing curves (Fig. 7—crack opening measured over a
200 mm base-length) confirm once again the effective-
ness of SCSFRC in reducing the field variability of
Materials and Structures (2006) 39:411–420 415

Table 4 Field variation of fibre content mechanical properties. The differences between SCS-
along longitudinal axis of prototypes FRC companion and core specimens may be attributed
Fiber content (kg/m3 ) to the orientation of fibres, which is likely to be random
in companion slabs and is influenced, in cores, by the
Cores SFRC SCSFRC
flow direction of the fresh mix.
11-16 56.24 (10%) 54.76 (4%)
21-26 45.41 (14%) 48.16 (10%)
31-36 43.17 (15%) 47.36 (8%) 4. Mix design and fibre dispersion: check on
41-42 59.77 (±2.5%)
reference prototypes
51-54 54.7 (11%)

Taking advantage of previous experience, a suitable

quality control procedure was set up, consisting of
tests on fresh concrete, aimed at determining fibre con-
tent; tests on hardened concrete, to identify mechanical
characteristics of the material, and lightly-destructive
tests on structural elements, to check the homogeneity
of fibre distribution. A pilot-application of this proce-
dure was attempted with reference to a series of 40
precast prestressed roof elements, cast with the mix
described in Table 2; fibres 30 mm long and with an
aspect ratio equal to 50 were employed. The produc-
tion of roof elements ranged over a period of about
Fig. 6 Effects on fibre segregation.
one month (12/06–18/07/2003). Information about the
trend of all the above properties over the whole pro-
duction period was also regarded as fundamental from
the precast industry point of view. The cross section
of roof elements is shown in Fig. 8; it should be em-
phasised that the wings are far less inclined than in the
previously shown prototypes. The elements were cast
by side-pouring the concrete, starting from the upper
part of a wing, until it filled the wing and the slab;
concrete was then poured from the upper part of the
opposite wing, until casting was complete (Fig. 8).
As far as the tests on fresh concrete were concerned,
three cubes 150 mm side were drawn from the batches
each casting day, to check the effective fibre content. Fi-
bres were separated from fresh concrete by washing and
then weighed (Fig. 9). Over the whole series, a variation

Fig. 7 Results of 4pb tests on thin slabs.

Fig. 8 Cross section of roof elements.
416 Materials and Structures (2006) 39:411–420

Table 5 Fibre content in fresh mix
(54 cubes)
Mean value (kg/m3 )
Standard deviation (kg/m3 )
Coefficient of variation
wide specimens were cut and tested under 4 point bend-
ing, both going with (type A - one test per each day of
50,2 casting) and going against casting direction (type B
4 - one test each third day). These “structural” charac-
0,08 terisation tests were meant to reproduce as closely as
possible in the specimen the stress field occurring in the
elements, and also to interact with fibre distribution and
alignment determined by structure geometry and cast-
ing procedures. Results from tests on notched prisms
were processed as explained in the previous chapter
(Table 6; refer also to Table 3). As far the tests on slab
specimens are concerned (Table 7), in addition to the
first cracking strength, fIf , corresponding to the max-
imum load in the crack opening range 0–0.1 mm (see
previous section for measurement details), the follow-
ing quantities were computed as indices of the material
toughness:

– an equivalent post-cracking stress, σ eq , as an average

Fig. 9 Production trend of fibre content in fresh concrete.
trend for fibre content such as is usually achieved for
the compressive strength of plant-produced concrete
was obtained (Fig. 9 - Table 5) [17].
With reference to mechanical properties of the
hardened composite, beside 4 point bending tests on
notched prisms [15] (one per each day of casting), com-
panion slabs were cast, as thick as the walls of the ele-
ments (60 mm), from which 500 mm long and 150 mm
of the nominal stress over the crack-opening range
3–5 wI , where wI is the crack-opening corresponding
to the first cracking strength;
– a residual stress σ res , as an average of the nomi-
nal stress over the crack opening range 0.8–1.2 wd ,
where the design crack-opening value wd was as-
sumed equal to 2% of the slab thickness.
In order to investigate the correlation between the
mechanical properties and distribution of fibres, the
number of fibres on the fracture cross section was
counted, considering three layers along the specimen

Table 6 Results of 4pb feq0−0.6 feq0.6−3

tests on notched beams fIf (MPa) feq0−0.6 (MPa) feq0.6−3 (MPa) D0 = fIf
D1 = feq0−0.6
Nf = n◦ of fibres
(mean values and
coefficients of variation) 5.11 5.69 5.36 1.11 0.94 0,83/cm2
6% 21% 22% 21% 8% 18.9%

Table 7 Results of 4pb

tests on companion thin Test type fIf (MPa) σ eq (MPa) σ res (MPa) Nf = specific n◦ of fibres
slabs (mean values and
A 7.2 4.85 4.41 0.77/cm2
coefficients of variation)
12% 29% 30% 26.5%
B 6.45 4.34 4.49 0.74/cm2
10% 16.5% 16.7% 19.7%

Test type % fibres intrados % fibres central % fibres extrados

A 38.4 % 32.2% 29.5%

std dev 6% std dev 9% std dev 8%
B 22.2% 33.2% 48.7%
std dev 5% std dev 10% std dev 12%
Materials and Structures (2006) 39:411–420 417

Table 8 Content of fibres in core -drilled

drilled cores

slab lower wing upper wing

roof element 1 4 7 10 2 5 8 11 3 6 9 12

1 (12/06) 49.39 54.59 65.95 53.48 54.23 47.93 44.26 33.65 60.28 44.8 12.25 54.75
2 (13/06) 51.08 57.32 49.92 52.32 30.07 63.73 43.41 46.99 49.81 58.00 57.26 46.05
3 (17/06) 42.34 44.22 56.02 45.64 44.93 44.01 41.88 44.43 39.36 34.80 48.88 54.51
4 /3/7) 46.18 43.06 45.39 88.69 55.61 2.45 20.00 29.54 59.64 18.88 49.09 56.71
5 (7/7) 46.07 52.32 51.39 47.24 20.93 10.41 5.63 15.99 47.85 60.23 46.84 40.68
6 (9/7) 102.72 62.87 59.04 48.07 73.44 30.88 31.61 25.35 49.14 43.14 52.93 38.30
7 (11/7) 54.55 43.55 54.90 48.87 60.58 15.32 46.64 39.17 55.14 54.20 50.48 61.83

depth. Results (Table 7) on one hand still show the

occurrence of some segregation of fibres (actually the
for type B slabs extrados, when tested, was the bottom
layer when cast). It can be observed that the equiva-
lent post-cracking strength is likely to be more strongly
sensitive to a higher fibre concentration in the bottom
layers of the specimen, while a stronger influence of
the fibre content in the upper layers can be observed
for the residual post-cracking strength. (Table 7). This
may be of not negligible importance when the struc-
tural performance of the elements vs., e.g., transverse
flexure has to be anticipated, as influenced by the fibre
distribution along the thickness of the inclined wings or
of the central flat slab. It is furthermore worth remark-
ing on the similar dispersion trend of both toughness
properties and number of fibres on the fracture plane.
Once the fibre volume fraction Vf = 0,64% and cross-
section area Af = 0,28 mm2 are known, from the spe-
cific number of fibres counted Nf information about the Fig. 10 Core-drilling scheme.
orientation factor α in tested specimens, as influenced
by their geometry and casting, can be estimated as α = As far as the final check on the field distribution of
(Nf Af )/Vf [18]. With reference to notched beam spec- fibres within the roof elements was concerned, seven
imens, a value of 0.35 was obtained, while values be- among the whole series of forty were cored, as sketched
tween 0.32 and 0.33 correspond to the detected number in Fig. 10; the diameter of each core was 70 mm, close
of fibres in slab specimens. These are very close to the to the optimal one previously determined. Results re-
theoretical minimum value suggested by Soroushian ferring to the content of fibres in each core, determined
and Lee [18] for an infinitely wide plate of finite thick- as explained in chapter 2, have been summarised in
ness (actually slab specimens were cut from a larger Table 8 and in Fig. 11. It can be observed that there
plate 500 mm wide × 600 mm long). This clearly high- was a better uniformity of fibre distribution in the up-
lights the importance of designing test specimens for per part of the wing and, to a lesser extent, in the slab,
the structural characterisation of SFRC, in such a way with respect to what occurs in the lower part of the
to reproduce as closely as possible not only the stress wing. The same differences among the three investi-
field which will occur in the structure but also the fibre gated positions also held with reference to the repeata-
distribution properties which are likely to be featured bility of the fibre homogeneity, when considered over
in structural elements. the production period examined.
418 Materials and Structures (2006) 39:411–420

Table 9 Fibre content in X-rayed cores

Fibre Average
Date of content fibre standard
batching Core (kg/m3 ) (kg/m3 ) deviation

17-giu 2A 39.9 43.7 7.64

2B 49.3
5 43.8
8 41.7
11A 32.9
11B 54.9
03-lug 2A 33.5 31.6 25.82
2B 75.6
Fig. 11 Average and max/min values of fibre content in cores 5 2.5
drilled from roof elements. 8 20.0
11A 15.0
11B 43.1
These differences among the effective fibre contents
07-lug 2A 0.9 14.4 16.33
in the single investigated positions of each element be-
2B 40.2
come clearer if one considers the casting process as
5 10.4
referred to the cross section of the elements. Since the 8 5.6
core-drilled wing is filled second during the batching 11A 0.8
process, its lower part, which is completed last from 11B 28.7
both casting sides, is likely to receive a concrete which, 11-lug 2A 28.3 43.1 25.84
due to the casting process itself is likely to be the poor- 2B 90.9
est in fibres, e.g., and/or in coarse aggregates. The pres- 5 15.3
ence of prestressing strands, which are likely to act as 8 46.4
an obstacle against the free flowing of the fibre rein- 11A 41.3
11B 36.5
forced matrix, may have further negatively influenced
the homogeneous distribution of fibres in the lower part
of the core-drilled wing.
X-ray analyses were also carried out on the cores
drilled from the lower wing of four roof elements; cores
from positions 2 and 11 (Fig. 10) were cut into two
parts, in order to achieve more detailed information
about the segregation of fibres. The fibre content in
these cores is reported in Table 9 (labels A - B stand for
the upper and lower parts respectively); some examples
of X-ray pictures are given in Fig. 12.
A cross-examination of the whole set of results sum- Fig. 12a 17/6 core 2A (right) and B (left).
marised above allows one to obtain further information
about the field distribution and the “production trend”
of the detected content of fibres within the roof ele-
ments. After good homogeneity inside each element
and good repeatability during the first three days ex-
amined, the last four elements investigated showed
the highest field- and time-dispersed results as well as
significant segregation of fibres (Fig. 12 c–d). These
results may be interestingly correlated to slump-flow
measurements (Table 10): an increase in fresh concrete
fluidity, and hence a decrease in viscosity, occurred for Fig. 12b 17/6 core 11A (right) and B (left).
Materials and Structures (2006) 39:411–420
Fig. 12c 7/7 core 2A (right) and B (left).
Fig. 12d 7/7 core 11A (right) and B (left).
Table 10 slump-flow and concrete density
date 13/6 17/6 3/7 7/7 9/7
slump flow (mm) 650 620 730 750 740 700
density (kg/m3 ) 2486 2504 2435 2412 2410 2461
the last four days at issue. In order to justify this fact,
otherwise difficult to explain, the influence of some
“environment” variables has been tentatively hypoth-
esised and outside temperature data have been looked
at. While for the first three days maximum temper-
atures of 26–28◦ C were recorded, a rise to 33–35◦ C
occurred in the following days, with a small decrease
to 30◦ C on 11/07/2003. The mixing procedure of dry
constituents, as implemented in the batching plant, ob-
viously releases water, in order to achieve the target
water/(cement + filler) ratio, taking into account the
measured degree of humidity of the aggregates. With
the air getting warmer and warmer, the aggregates may
have been progressively dried, leading to higher added
free-water, which was only slowly absorbed by the ag-
gregates: this significantly influenced the fluidity and
viscosity of the fresh mix and is furthermore confirmed
by values of 1-day aged concrete density (Table 10) as
well as by the mechanical properties measured from
419
Table 11 post-cracking strength and number of fibres on frac-
ture plane
date 13/6 17/6 3/7 7/7 9/7 11/7
σeq (MPa) 5.01 6.48 3.53 3.28 2.90 5.47
σres (MPa) 5.50 4.83 2.95 2.44 2.65 5.24
n◦ fibres/cm2 0.77 0.80 0.58 0.67 0.73 0.81
4 point bending tests on slab specimens (Table 11).
The lower viscosity, and hence an improper balance
between the driving force of the flowing fresh mix and
the self weight of the fibres, further influenced by the
cross-section shape, surely explains the segregation of
fibres, as well as the poorer results in terms of field
homogeneity of fibre content inside each element. Fur-
thermore, the detected differences in the mechanical
properties (Table 11) hardly can be attributed only to the
different number of fibres on the fracture plane, while
they can be reasonably justified, in the authors’ opin-
ion, also by considering a poorer quality of concrete
and of the fibre/matrix bond, in the above hypothesised
framework. The whole set of results becomes clearer
if properly examined in the framework of the relation-
ships existing between fibre distribution, workability
and mechanical properties of FRCs: a fuller compre-
11/7 hension of the mechanisms governing them as well as
their optimisation, also through suitably developed pre-
dictive models, is hence highly desirable with regard to
the structural applications of fibre reinforced concrete.
5. Concluding remarks
Taking advantage of a series production of 40 roof el-
ements made of self-compacting steel fibre reinforced
concrete, the relationships between workability, me-
chanical properties and fibre distribution has been in-
vestigated. A quality control procedure based on the
measurement and cross-examination of the aforemen-
tioned three properties has been also implemented in
the precast factory and interestingly applied to the pro-
duction at issue. The results obtained highlight the need
for further investigation of the strong connection exist-
ing between fibre distribution, workability and the me-
chanical properties of fibre reinforced concrete, aim-
ing at the formulation of a rational predictive model
which may also be usefully employed for further op-
timisation of production processes. Furthermore, they
once again confirm the potentials of SCSFRC which
420
the precast industry could develop, exploiting the above
relationships both to currently check and to further im-
prove the quality of its products. The use of a non-
destructive technique to identify fibre content and dis-
tribution within structural elements, based on X-rays
has been also addressed, its full development and ap-
plication for quality control in precast industry still de-
serving further work.
Acknowledgements The authors thank Magnetti-Larco Build-
ing, and in particular Mr. Claudio Failla, Mr. Francesco Sonzogni
and Ms. Flavia Pasini, for the experimental results. The X-ray
investigation was performed at the Department of Aeronautics of
Politecnico di Milano and the kind availability of prof. Giuseppe
Sala and his technicians is gratefully acknowledged. Thanks to
professors Marco di Prisco and Giovanni Plizzari for their sup-
port.
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