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CONCRETE TECHNOLOGY60 CPI %u2013 Concrete Plant International %u2013 5 | 2025 www.cpi-worldwide.comlargely due to uncertainties in design codes and performance characterization. This study aimed to address those gaps by testing nine full-scale beams (3600 %u00d7 200 %u00d7 400 mm) using Dramix steel fibers (40 and 60mm in length) at a dosage of 40 kg/m%u00b3. These were compared to traditional reinforced concrete (RC) specimens with identical geometry.From lab to plant: Industrially relevant testingAll specimens were produced at the Manini Prefabbricati plant in Italy, ensuring industrial production standards. Tests were performed in four-point bending setups, simulating realistic service conditions (Fig 3). The beams varied in stirrup spacing (100 mm and 200 mm), allowing the investigation of fiber effects under different shear reinforcement scenarios.Results revealed that steel fibers significantly enhanced both shear strength and ductility. In beams with lower stirrup density (200 mm spacing), the addition of fibers improved shear capacity by up to 85%. In some cases, fibers even changed the failure mode from brittle shear to ductile flexure%u2014an outcome highly desirable for structural safety and proper strength hierarchy.Revisiting shear design: Are codes keeping up?The experimental outcomes were compared against predictions from three standards: the Italian Guidelines, Model Code 2010, and German DAfStb. The Model Code showed the best correlation with test data. In contrast, other standards tended to underestimate fiber contribution, particularly in cases without stirrups.Not just stronger, but smarterNumerical simulations using FEM (Abaqus) supported the experimental findings. Calibrated models confirmed that fracture energy and tensile strength were key parameters for predicting behavior. Interestingly, short fibers (40mm) provided better structural performance than longer ones at equal weight, due to their higher number per cubic meter %u2013 resulting in more effective crack bridging.Production and practicalityBeyond structural advantages, SFRC offers clear production benefits. Reducing or eliminating stirrups means fewer steel elements to bend, cut, and place %u2013 saving labor, improving plant logistics, and reducing risks of errors or congestion in complex molds. The potential for more automated processes also aligns with the industry%u2019s move toward digital precast solutions and industrialized construction.Takeaways for precast producers and designers%u2022 Performance Gains: Up to 85% increase in shear strength with fibers alone.%u2022 Code compliance: although current standards don%u2019t fully capture SFRC potential, SFRC design is supported by several codes, standards, and guidelines, with Model Code 2010 being the most aligned.%u2022 Production Efficiency: Less rebar, faster casting, and reduced handling.%u2022 Design Confidence: Calibrated FEM models help translate material data into structural safety margins.All data and supporting graphs are available in the previously mentioned publication or can be provided upon request by the Bekaert team.Conclusion: A new baseline for precast innovationSteel fibers are more than an additive- they are a redesign tool. The synergy between optimized reinforcement, improved performance, and simplified production positions SFRC as a key enabler for the next generation of precast elements. As standards evolve and design tools mature, the case for SFRC in precast construction becomes not just compelling, but essential. nFURTHER INFORMATIONNV Bekaert SABekaertstraat 28550 Zwevegem, Belgiumwww.bekaert.com/dramixFig. 3: Experimental setup