Clear and reliable standards are essential for the effective and safe use of fibre-reinforced concrete. From fibre classification and mechanical property testing to structural design principles, this MC-Pedia article offers a structured overview of the key norms and guidelines – in Germany and internationally.

The design and application of fibre-reinforced concrete require both a standards-compliant classification of the fibres used and the testing of relevant mechanical properties. Structural design is typically based on the internationally recognised fib Model Code 2010. In Germany, additional national guidelines such as the DAfStb Code of Practice for Steel Fibre Concrete apply. These not only supplement the Model Code but also ensure compliance with building authority requirements. The following overview summarises the most important standards and their fields of application.

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Fibre classification

Standard	Title / Content	Application
EN 14889-1	Fibres for concrete – Part 1: Steel fibres – Definitions, specifications, conformity	Classification of steel fibres for load-bearing and non-load-bearing use
EN 14889-2	Fibres for concrete – Part 2: Polymer fibres – Definitions, specifications, conformity	Classification of polymer fibres, with distinction between Class I and II

Testing mechanical properties of fibre-reinforced concrete

Standard	Title / Content	Application
EN 14651	Testing of fibre-reinforcedconcrete – Determination of flexural tensile strength using notched specimen	Measures residual flexural tensile strength for verification of structural performance
EN 14488-5	Test methods for sprayed concrete – Part 5: Energy absorption capacity under bending load	Characterises post-crack energy absorption
EN 12390-3/-6/-7/-16	Testing of hardened concrete (compressive strength, tensile strength, modulus of elasticity, shrinkage)	Additional material properties for design and comparison with reference concrete

Structural design of fibre-reinforced concrete

Standard / Guideline	Content / Purpose	Application Area
fib Model Code 2010	International design approach for steel and fibre-reinforced concrete, including ULS and SLS	Basis for design-based application of fibre-reinforced components
DAfStb Guideline "Steel fibre concrete" (2010)	German supplementary standard for design, execution and testing of steel fibre concrete	Applies to load-bearing components made of steel fibre concrete in Germany
EN 1992-1-1 / Eurocode 2	General design and construction of reinforced and prestressed concrete structures	No direct regulation for fibre-reinforced concrete – can be combined with the Model Code
ZTV-ING / RIL 853 (DB)	Additional technical specifications in civil and railway engineering in Germany	Use of fibre-reinforced concrete e.g. for shotcrete in tunnel or infill

Fibre-Reinforced Concrete – Standards and Structural Design

Fibre-reinforced concrete explained Part 2: Standards Overview and Structural Design

Fibre classification

Testing mechanical properties of fibre-reinforced concrete

Structural design of fibre-reinforced concrete