Correlation between the Barcelona test and the three-point bending test for the characterization of SCFRC

Self-compacting concrete has proved itself to be a suitable solution in many scopes of construction industry. Its higher performance and better flowability has allowed considering its use in new applications. Nevertheless, the brittleness commonly associated to concrete is still present even though it may be compensated with the use of fibres. Several methods included in different guidelines propose tests in order to characterize fibre reinforced concrete, although some of them present some drawbacks concerning the execution or material consumption. The goal of this document is to briefly show the main characterization tests and provide an initial vision of the potential possibilities the use of alternative tests may offer. In this study the three-point bending test, the Barcelona test and the inductive method are described and correlated. In this concern, the results of an experimental campaign which consisted of nine mixtures that included both steel and plastic fibres were analysed in terms of correlating the results obtained between tests. Correlation factors above 0.85 were obtained, proving that an approach to standardised methods by means of non-standardised tests is possible.