Explicit fiber modeling and experimental study of splitting tensile strength in self-compacting concrete with hooked-end steel fibers

This study investigates the mechanical performance of self-compacting concrete (SCC) reinforced with hooked-end steel fibers, with a focus on splitting tensile strength and post-crack behavior at varying fiber volume fractions (0%, 0.25%, and 0.5%). Fresh properties, assessed through slump flow and J-ring tests, confirmed excellent flowability. Hardened properties revealed an 8.6% increase in splitting tensile capacity at 0.5% fiber content, transitioning the failure mode from brittle fracture to distributed cracking. A finite element modeling (FEM) framework was developed in ABAQUS, extending the concrete damage plasticity model to explicitly incorporate fiber characteristics. The modeling framework utilized a Python-based algorithm to automate fiber distribution, orientation, meshing, and embedding, ensuring realistic fiber–matrix interactions without intersections. Numerical simulations demonstrated strong alignment with experimental results, capturing tensile behavior and failure patterns with deviations below 3%. This robust and efficient framework bridges experimental observations and computational modeling, establishing a robust foundation for advancing fiber-reinforced SCC in structural applications.