Flexure Response of Isolated Square RC Footings Internally Reinforced by SMFs: Experimental and Numerical Investigations

Abstract This study investigates the flexural behavior of reinforced concrete (RC) footings supported on natural soil and internally strengthened using steel mesh fabrics (SMFs) as a novel alternative to conventional steel bars. Despite the widespread application of SMFs in structural retrofitting, their use as internal tensile reinforcement in RC footings remains largely unexplored. To address this gap, an experimental program involving ten small-scale square footings was conducted to evaluate the influence of SMF quantity, layering patterns, bar-mesh hybrid configurations, and mesh geometry on structural performance under flexure. The results demonstrate that replacing conventional steel bars with SMFs of equal reinforcement weight increased the ultimate load by up to 22.5% and enhanced the energy absorption capacity by up to 237%. Increasing the number of SMF layers raised the ultimate load from 120 kN (one layer) to 175 kN (three layers), corresponding to a 45.8% increase, while ductility decreased due to stiffness growth. Hybrid bar–mesh configurations showed superior performance, where the fan-shaped layout achieved an ultimate load of 161 kN and an energy absorption capacity of 2056 kN·mm, representing increases of 34.2% and 121.6%, respectively, compared to the single-layer mesh specimen. Moreover, partial-area SMF reinforcement beneath the column zone improved load capacity by up to 20% with limited reduction in ductility. Complementary numerical analysis using a validated 3D finite element model was conducted to assess critical variables, including mesh shape, reinforcement layout, and soil–structure interaction. The numerical simulations closely aligned with experimental results, providing deeper insight into stress distribution and deformation behavior. The findings confirm that SMFs offer a structurally efficient and economical alternative for enhancing the flexural performance, ductility, and energy dissipation of RC footings.