Fiber efficiency in SFRC members subjected to uniaxial tension

•Tensile behavior of SFRC was experimentally investigated.•Fiber efficiency on tensile behavior decreased as fiber volumetric ratio increased.•A coefficient to reflect the fiber efficiency was derived in this paper. This paper investigated the tensile behavior of steel fiber-reinforced concrete (SFRC) through an experimental program in which 64 specimens with end-hooked steel fibers were tested under uniaxial tension. The test variables were the concrete compressive strength, fiber volumetric ratio, and fiber aspect ratio (length to diameter). The test results showed that more ductile behavior could generally be achieved with a higher fiber volumetric ratio and a higher fiber aspect ratio; however, the tensile stress attained by the steel fibers did not increase when additional steel fibers were added because the fiber efficiency on the tensile behavior decreased. By comparing the test results and the predictions of the Diverse Embedment Model (DEM), a rational SFRC tension model, a coefficient to reflect the fiber efficiency was derived. The tensile behavior of SFRC members can be more accurately predicted with the proposed fiber efficiency factor, particularly for members with a high fiber volumetric ratio.