On the characterization of flexural toughness in fiber reinforced concretes

Abstract The article comprises two parts. The first part presents a summary of the available methods of characterizing the flexural toughness of fiber reinforced concretes (FRC), with a review of most of the toughness standards and guidelines from standards institutions and other professional agencies in North America, Europe and Japan. Also reviewed are other significant proposals available in the published literature. The second part of the article includes a discussion of the merits and drawbacks of these measures. Other related issues discussed include: the fundamental significance, problems with regard to experimental measurements and the potential for practical design implementation of a toughness measure.