Dynamic Pullout Behavior of Multiple Steel Fibers in UHPC: Effects of Fiber Geometry, Inclination Angle, and Loading Rate

This study examined the influences of fiber geometry, inclination angle, and loading rate on the pullout behavior of multiple steel fibers in ultra-high-performance concrete (UHPC). For this, two different steel fiber types, i.e., straight (S-) and hooked (H-), four different inclination angles (0°–60°), and four different loading rates (0.018 mm/s to 1200 mm/s) were considered. Test results indicated that the pullout performance of S-fibers in UHPC was improved by increasing the loading rate. The highest maximum pullout load of the S-fiber was obtained at the inclination angle of 30° or 45°. The maximum pullout loads of H-fibers also increased with increases in the loading rate, while their slip capacities rather decreased. No specific inclination angle was identified in the case of H-fibers that caused the highest maximum pullout load. The H-fibers yielded higher average bond strengths than S-fibers, but similar or even smaller pullout energies under the impact loads. The aligned S-fiber in UHPC was most sensitive to the loading rate compared to the inclined S-fiber and aligned H-fiber. The rate sensitivity became moderate with the fiber inclination angle. Consequently, the aligned S-fiber was recommended to achieve the best energy absorption capacity and interfacial bond strength at various impact loads.