Flexural properties of a 2D-distributed steel fiber reinforced cement-based composite two-way slab

In two-dimensionally distributed steel fiber reinforced cement-based composite (2D-SFRC) twoway slabs, all or most steel fibers are parallel to the slab surface, i.e., there is no vertical fiber perpendicular to the slab surface. In this way, most of the fibers can provide reinforcement to improve the flexural properties of the slab such as loading capacity and toughness. In this investigation, 2D-SFRC two-way slabs were prepared, and their flexural behavior was tested. In the preparation of 2D-SFRC two-way slabs, a magnetic device was used to align the steel fibers in the fresh cement-based composite mixture after casting to achieve a two-dimensional distribution of steel fibers in the two-way slabs. Then, the flexural properties of the simply supported two-way slabs under the action of a central concentrated load were tested and analyzed. The results show that the ultimate flexural load and flexural toughness of 2D-SFRC two-way slabs are significantly improved compared with unidirectional and random steel fiber reinforced cement-based composite two-way slabs. By correlating the orientation efficiency factor of steel fibers, the effect of the distribution of steel fibers on the ultimate flexural load of a two-way slab was analyzed.