2. Mechanical behavior and constructive properties of BFMs

2.1 Mechanical behavior of BFM under quasi-static loads

We will only discuss the tensile behavior of BFMs, as metal fibers play an important role when subjected to stresses that mainly induce tensile stresses.

Let's consider the case where cracking is governed mainly by macroscopic tensile stresses.

Schematically, three stages can be distinguished in the cracking process of a volume of concrete subjected to macroscopic tensile stress:

• a first stage of diffuse microcracking within the entire volume of concrete;

• a second stage during which the microcracks connect to create one or more macrocracks: this is the crack localization phase; the creation of macrocracks...