Model for the analysis of steel fibre reinforced concrete slabs on grade

A constitutive model is developed for material non-linear analysis of steel fibre reinforced concrete slabs supported on soil. The energy absorption c apacity provided by fibre reinforcement is taken into account in the materi al constitutive relationship. The theory of plasticity is used to deal with the elasto-plastic behaviour of concrete. A smeared-crack model is used fo r reproducing the concrete cracking behaviour. The soil non-linear behaviou r is simulated by springs on orthogonal direction to the slab. The loss of contact between the slab and the soil is accounted for. The model performan ce is assessed using results of experimental research. (C) 2000 Elsevier Sc ience Ltd. All rights reserved.