Leveraging SFRC compressive behavior for superior ductility and sustainability in composite structures

This presentation examines the influence of steel-fiber reinforced concrete (SFRC) on the ductility and sustainability of composite beams with embedded structural steel sections. Building on the SFRC compressive model incorporated in Annex L of Eurocode 2, we assess how its enhanced strain capacity improves global structural performance. Experimental tests show that SFRC achieves strains nearly three times higher than conventional concrete, enabling full utilization of structural steel’s tensile strength. Large-scale bending tests confirm exceptional rotational capacity and controlled crack propagation, with fibers maintaining tensile stress transfer under severe deformation. Beyond mechanical benefits, the efficient synergy between SFRC and steel reduces material waste and lowers carbon emissions by up to 40% at the structural level. These results highlight SFRC as a key material for next-generation composite systems, combining superior ductility with significant sustainability gains.