The proof you are looking for is in engineering books and look at commercial jobs.
Rebar is for strength there is no mesh compareable to rebar . . . .
Rebar offers shear control where as mesh does not.
Use of the floor would make a difference. If it's a home owner city garage floor, no rebar maybe neccessary - if it's a shop floor where loaded trucks would be parked /worked on then rebar . . .
Preparing the base for all concrete is the key - most important step to crack free concrete, for all projects.
There is a company here, in Mn, that offeres a 5yr warrenty - to crack free concrete or they'll tear it out and replace, free.
The contractors that use there concrete have to be cetified, by Cemstone, or no warrenty. The key step to their warrenty - base preperation.

Edited for clarity. . ..