ᐅ Reinforced concrete slab with steel fibers

Hi,
in other forums and on the internet, I often read that steel fiber reinforced concrete slabs are rather unpopular, especially for residential buildings. However, I can’t quite understand the reason from the technical jargon.

We also have a steel fiber concrete slab, and whether it’s good or bad – we have to deal with it now. Our structural engineer added conventional reinforcement steel in one area (about one-third of the total surface). Otherwise, the description seems quite sparse, so I hope it holds up:

• Total area 110m² (1,184 ft²)
• Thickness 15cm (6 inches)
• Concrete grade: C 25/30 XC4 XF1 XA1
• Fiber content of 20kg/m³ (1.3 lb/ft³)
• Structural design

Now the question is, what is the problem with steel fiber reinforced concrete (SFRC)? Does it crack?
It needs to last 50 years, after that I don’t care. Is that realistic?

Hello,

No one here can really tell you if your concrete slab will last for 50 years....
It depends on the loads it has to bear and the conditions it will be exposed to (soil conditions, weather effects, moisture, frost, etc.).

However, I am also interested in whether 15 cm (6 inches) is sufficient for an average one-and-a-half-story single-family house???
It would be great if the experts could share their opinions on this....

Regards

There should be two full stories built on top. Below is solid clay soil. Although the wind and weather in Germany are becoming increasingly unpredictable, we still experience typical summers and winters, likely to continue for another 50 years.

Hardly anyone can tell you that for sure. It depends on the structural engineering of your specific house and the ground conditions. I also only have a 15cm (6 inches) slab, but with strip footings beneath all the walls.

kaho674 schrieb:
There should be 2 full stories on top. Below is solid clay soil.

Our soil expert advised against using a load-bearing slab on clay soil ==> soil replacement or strip foundations! We then decided on strip foundations and are also building with two full stories. Our non-load-bearing slab is already 20cm (8 inches) thick!

We also have strip foundations. I didn’t know it was possible to build without them. Sorry, I didn’t mention that. But does no one remember anything more about the fiber-reinforced concrete?