Fibre-reinforced concrete enhances the performance of concrete in its plastic state by adding macrofibers, which increase post-crack bending strength and the material's toughness, improving its energy absorption after cracking.
To evaluate the toughness of fiber-reinforced concrete, internationally recognized methods are available. The American Society of Materials Testing (ASTM) provides ASTM C1609 for beams and ASTM C1550 for round panels. In Europe, the European Committee for Standardization (CEN) proposes EN 14651 for beam specimens and EN 14488-5 for square panels.
These testing standards ensure reliable, repeatable, and comparable results, supporting engineers and laboratories in assessing the structural performance of fibre-reinforced and sprayed concrete across different applications and compliance requirements.