FRC Plates Design in Bending: From the Italian Code to EC2

In this paper we are reporting the structural response of fourteen concrete plates of 2000 × 2000 × 150 mm of dimensions that were tested in three configurations of load and support positions being reinforced with either reinforcing rebars (RC) or reinforcing rebars together with 35 kg/m3 of steel fibres (R/FRC). Two of the plate have a special reinforcement where the rebars are placed only around the edge of the plates (R/FRC-APC). Two plates are tested for each configuration and with each of the reinforcing solutions. The structural response of the plates is compared in terms of deflection and the opening of cracks among each testing configuration. Provisions of the CNR-DT 204 and EC2-annex L on design of FRC structures are implemented to check the reliability of these approaches. The obtained results highlight the considerable influence of fibers on structural response and cracking behavior of plates and underline the suitability of the material models given in these codes for design and prediction of the load bearing capacity of these elements.