A novel double anchored steel fiber for shotcrete

Given the high deformability requirements of shotcrete in repair, rehabilitation, slope stabilization, ground support, and other applications, the use of fibers in shotcrete is growing. Growing also are challenges surrounding the use of fibers in shotcrete not the least of which are a high fiber rebound in the dry process, lack of standardized test techniques, and a poor understanding of reinforcement mechanisms. In the context of rebound, unfortunately, the requirements for a low rebound often clash with the requirements for a high material toughness. This paper describes a new fiber developed at The University of British Columbia where a rational balance was sought between the conflicting requirements of rebound reduction and a high material toughness. The new fiber is based on a double anchoring principle and is optimized for both reduced rebound and a high toughness in hardened shotcrete.