This work is dedicated to the assessment of the structural capacity of a new lightweight block for one-way precast concrete slabs made of short sisal fiber reinforced concrete (SSFRC) containing natural and recycled aggregate. Flexural tests were carried out on SSFRC block samples, as well as on ceramic and EPS blocks used commercially. Slab panels including SSFRC, ceramic and EPS blocks were tested under four point bending configuration to assess the benefits of the new SSFRC block in quasi-real slab conditions. The results of the tests indicated the influence of the sisal fibers and recycled aggregate on the physical and mechanical properties of the concrete and the best structural performance of the SSFRC blocks in relation to commercial solutions. The flexural behavior and cracking of slabs were presented and discussed. Numerical models were also developed to predict the nonlinear behavior of the SSFRC and to simulate the flexural behavior, crack initiation and propagation in the blocks. By adopting this numerical strategy, a parametric study was carried out to simulated new design of blocks and to demonstrate that the load carrying capacity at serviceability limit state conditions can be significantly increased with the thickness of SSFRC block.

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