Static and dynamic behavior of concrete slabs reinforced with chemically reactive enamel-coated steel bars and fibers

In this study, the effect of steel fibers coated with chemically reactive enamel (CRE) on the system response of concrete structures with reinforcing bars has been investigated for the first time. In particular, the ultimate strength, ductility, and failure mechanism of 24 reinforced concrete slabs were experimentally characterized under static and blast loads. CRE coating applied on steel bars reduced the crater area of slabs under blast loads by up to 20%; it slightly increased the strength of slabs and significantly reduced the strength degradation of slabs when increasingly deflected under static loads, making the slabs more ductile. CRE coating applied on steel fibers increased the strength of slabs by up to 16% under static loads. The influence of CRE coating applied on both steel fibers and bars may be taken into account by introducing a coating factor in the range of 0.57<β<1.0 in the American Concrete Institute (ACI) development length equation.