Seven half-scale beams were tested to explore the impact of adding steel fiber (SF) on the flexural behavior of concrete beams reinforced with hybrid schemes. Key parameters included SF volume (0.00%, 0.50%, and 1.00%) and the steel-to-GFRP ratio in hybrid schemes (1.0 and 0.69). The presence of SF in the concrete beams, reinforced with hybrid schemes, enhances ductility while simultaneously increasing load capacity and stiffness. Load capacity increased by 13% and 21% for 0.50% and 1.00% SF, respectively. Toughness enhancements were 97.7% and 161% for the same SF volumes. SF presence led to higher strains in GFRP bars at ultimate levels, enhancing ductility and extending the warning range before failure. The experimental results underscore the effectiveness of combining hybrid schemes with steel fibers in RC beams. The flexural capacity of the tested beams and an additional 41 specimens from the literature was determined through a modified approach based on first principles. Experimental flexural capacities were compared to theoretical ones, with an average ratio of about 1.05, indicating a reliable measure for predicting flexural capacity. |
