Effect of polypropylene fibers on thermogravimetric properties of self‐compacting concrete at elevated temperatures

In this study, the effect of polypropylene (PP) fibers on thermogravimetric parameters of self‐compacting concrete (SCC) containing indigenous materials was investigated experimentally and statistically. The mixes containing cement, water, fly ash, fine aggregate, coarse aggregate, and super plasticizer, with the addition of PP fibers (0%, 0.05%, 0.1%, and 0.15%) by volume of the mixtures, were prepared. The physical properties of SCC were determined at elevated temperatures (200, 400, and 600 °C) after cooling in the laboratory. Regression models were developed to determine the responses, and the optimum amount of 0.05% PP fibers by volume was measured. Copyright © 2012 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Pore pressure development in hybrid fibre-reinforced high strength concrete at elevated temperatures

The present experimental work investigates the build-up of pore pressure at different depths of High Strength Concrete (HSC) and Hybrid-Fibre-Reinforced High Strength Concrete (HFRHSC) when exposed to different heating rates. First, the effect of the measurement technique on maximum pore pressures measured was evaluated. The pressure measurement technique which utilised a sintered metal and silicon oil was found to be the most effective technique for pore pressure measurement. Pore pressure measurements carried out showed that addition of polypropylene fibres is very effective in mitigation of spalling and build-up of pore pressure inside heated HSC. Addition of steel fibres plays some role in pore pressure reduction at relatively higher pressures in deeper regions of concrete during fast heating. Pore pressure development is highly influenced by the rate of heating with fast heating leading to higher pore pressures in the deeper regions of concrete compared to slow heating.     

Characterization of high strength mortars with nano alumina at elevated temperatures

In this study, the effect of elevated temperatures on chemical composition, microstructure and mechanical properties of high strength mortars with nano alumina was investigated. Mortars with 1, 2 and 3% nano alumina as cement replacement were prepared and then exposed to 100 °C, 200 °C, 300 °C, 400 °C, 600 °C, 800 °C and 1000 °C. XRD, DSC and SEM tests were carried out to identify chemical composition and microstructure changes in the cement matrix after being exposed to elevated temperatures. Residual compressive strength, relative elastic modulus and gas permeability coefficient of samples were also obtained. A brittleness index was defined to monitor changes in brittleness of samples after being exposed to elevated temperatures. Nano alumina enhanced compressive strength of samples up to 16% and improved residual compressive strength. An increase in the relative elastic modulus, higher energy absorption and lower permeability were also observed when 1% nano alumina was added.     

Flexural properties after exposure to elevated temperatures of a ground granulated blast furnace slag concrete incorporating steel fibers and polypropylene fibers

Experiments were carried out to investigate the flexural properties of fiber‐reinforced ground granulated blast furnace slag (GGBFS) concrete after exposure to high temperatures. On the basis of experimental observation, the effect of GGBFS content, the steel fiber dosage, the polypropylene (PP) fiber dosage, and the strength grade on the residual strength of concrete after exposure to elevated temperatures were systematically examined. Test data indicate that exposure to high temperatures causes deterioration in the flexural strength of concrete; inclusion of GGBFS, PP fibers, and steel fibers, all effectively improve the residual flexural strength of concrete after fire. The optimum amounts of GGBFS, PP fibers, and steel fibers are identified respectively for better fire resistance of concrete. The strength losses of concretes characterized by different strength grades are very close to one another. Equations are proposed to predict the residual flexural strength of concrete incorporating GGBFS, PP fibers, and steel fibers after being heated to temperatures up to 800°C. Copyright © 2013 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Effect of fibre type and geometry on maximum pore pressures in fibre-reinforced high strength concrete at elevated temperatures

This paper presents results of an experimental and statistical study which investigates the effect of fibre type and geometry on the amount of maximum pore pressures measured at different depths in fibre-reinforced high strength concrete (HSC) exposed to elevated temperatures. Polypropylene, polyvinyl alcohol and steel fibres of varying lengths and diameters were used. Pore pressure measurements showed that addition of organic fibres regardless of the type significantly contributes to pore pressure reduction in heated HSC. Polypropylene fibres were more effective in mitigating maximum pore pressure development compared to polyvinyl alcohol fibres while steel fibres had a slightly low effect. Longer organic fibres of length 12 mm with smaller diameters of 18 μm showed better performance than shorter ones of length 6 mm with larger diameters of 28 and 40 μm. Based on experimental observations and using statistical analysis, a relationship to predict maximum pore pressures in heated concrete was developed.     

Effect of elevated temperatures and cooling regimes on normal strength concrete

The compressive strength of normal strength concrete at elevated temperatures up to 700^°C and the effect of cooling regimes were investigated and compared in this study. Thus, two different mixture groups with initial strengths of 20 and 35 MPa were produced by using river sand, normal aggregate and portland cement. Thirteen different temperature values were chosen from 50 to 700^°C. The specimens were heated for 3 h at each temperature. After heating, concretes were cooled to room temperature either in water rapidly or in laboratory conditions gradually. The residual strengths were determined by an axial compressive strength test. Strength and unit weight losses were compared with the initial values. Throughout this study, ASTM and Turkish Standards were used. It was observed that concrete properties deteriorated with the heat; however, a small increase in strength was observed from 50 to 100^°C. Strength loss was more significant on the specimens rapidly cooled in water. Both concrete mixtures lost a significant part of their initial strength when the temperature reached 700^°C. Copyright © 2008 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Bond strength measurement between glass fibres and epoxy resin at elevated temperatures using the pull-out and push-out techniques

Pull-out and push-out measurements were performed on glass fibres in an epoxy resin to determine the dependence of bond strength on test temperature and on fibre surface treatment. A comparative analysis of the two techniques was carried out to elucidate elementary processes of polymer-fibre debonding and to determine energy values for adhesional bonds. Differences in bond strength values for pull-out and push-out tests were attributed to failure mechanisms that were either interface-controlled or matrix-controlled. Evidence for the different failure mechanisms characteristic of the two test techniques was provided by an estimation of failure parameters, such as the activation energy for debonding. Failure mechanisms also were manifest in AFM images, showing differences in topography and roughness that depended on fibre surface treatment, test geometry, and test temperature.     

Tensile properties and stress relaxation of polypropylene at elevated temperatures

Samples of isotactic polypropylene(PP) were subjected to stress-relaxation experiments after simple tensile tests at four strain rates and at different levels of temperature. The relaxation moduli were determined in the range of temperature between 20 and 80°C with a relaxation period of 1200s duration. The activation energy value of the shift factor was determined using the time-temperature superposition principle. The calculated stress-strain curves and stress-relaxation curves were obtained from constitutive equations based on an overstress theory in which the temperature dependence of viscosity and the activation energy were considered. The temperature dependence of viscosity was amenable to an Arrhenius type equation. The quasi-equilibrium stress depends on both the current strain and the temperature. The calculated results were obtained by the proposed constitutive equation and compared with the data. The proposed constitutive equations based on the overstress model explain well the viscoelastic-plastic behavior of PP samples.     

Thermal and mechanical properties of fiber reinforced high performance self-consolidating concrete at elevated temperatures

This paper presents the effect of temperature on thermal and mechanical properties of self-consolidating concrete (SCC) and fiber reinforced SCC (FRSCC). For thermal properties specific heat, thermal conductivity, and thermal expansion were measured, whereas for mechanical properties compressive strength, tensile strength and elastic modulus were measured in the temperature range of 20–800 °C. Four SCC mixes, plain SCC, steel, polypropylene, and hybrid fiber reinforced SCC were considered in the test program. Data from mechanical property tests show that the presence of steel fibers enhances high temperature splitting tensile strength and elastic modulus of SCC. Also the thermal expansion of FRSCC is slightly higher than that of SCC in 20–1000 °C range. Data generated from these tests was utilized to develop simplified relations for expressing thermal and mechanical properties of SCC and FRSCC as a function of temperature.     

Influence of fibers on bond strength of concrete exposed to elevated temperature

Concrete is a building material having good fire resistance and the resistance depend on many factors including the properties of its constituent materials. Fiber Reinforced Concrete (FRC) apart from improving mechanical properties has better fire resistance than conventional concrete. Bond strength of concrete is one of the important properties to be considered by structural engineers while designing reinforced concrete cements. In this research, an experimental investigation has been carried out to determine the effect of fibers on the bond strength of different grades (M20, M30, M40 and M50) of concrete subjected to elevated temperature. Different types of fibers such as Aramid, Basalt, Carbon, Glass and Polypropylene were used in the concrete with a volume proportion of 0.25% to determine the bond strength by pull-out test. Prior to the pull-out test, the specimens were kept in a furnace and subjected to elevated temperatures following standard fire curve as per ISO 834. Based on the test results of the investigations, type of fiber, grade of concrete and duration of heating were found to be the key parameters that affect the bond strength of concrete. The contribution of carbon fiber in enhancing the bond strength was found to be more significant compared to other fibers. An empirical relationship has been developed to predict the bond strength of FRC at a slip of 0.25?mm. This empirical relationship is validated with experimental results.     

Compressive strength of fly‐ash‐based geopolymer concrete at elevated temperatures

This paper presents the compressive strength of fly‐ash‐based geopolymer concretes at elevated temperatures of 200, 400, 600 and 800 °C. The source material used in the geopolymer concrete in this study is low‐calcium fly ash according to ASTM C618 class F classification and is activated by sodium silicate (Na₂SiO₃) and sodium hydroxide (NaOH) solutions. The effects of molarities of NaOH, coarse aggregate sizes, duration of steam curing and extra added water on the compressive strength of geopolymer concrete at elevated temperatures are also presented. The results show that the fly‐ash‐based geopolymer concretes exhibited steady loss of its original compressive strength at all elevated temperatures up to 400 °C regardless of molarities and coarse aggregate sizes. At 600 °C, all geopolymer concretes exhibited increase of compressive strength relative to 400 °C. However, it is lower than that measured at ambient temperature. Similar behaviour is also observed at 800 °C, where the compressive strength of all geopolymer concretes are lower than that at ambient temperature, with only exception of geopolymer concrete containing 10 m NaOH. The compressive strength in the latter increased at 600 and 800 °C. The geopolymer concretes containing higher molarity of NaOH solution (e.g. 13 and 16 m ) exhibit greater loss of compressive strength at 800 °C than that of 10 m NaOH. The geopolymer concrete containing smaller size coarse aggregate retains most of the original compressive strength of geopolymer concrete at elevated temperatures. The addition of extra water adversely affects the compressive strength of geopolymer concretes at all elevated temperatures. However, the extended steam curing improves the compressive strength at elevated temperatures. The Eurocode EN1994:2005 to predict the compressive strength of fly‐ash‐based geopolymer concretes at elevated temperatures agrees well with the measured values up to 400 °C. Copyright © 2014 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Deformation and strength characteristics of magnesia-spinnellide refractories at elevated temperatures

Conclusions We studied the thermomechanical properties of the heat resistant chromite-periclase refractories and three types of periclase-chromite refractories. It was established that the superior deformation and high-temperature strength characteristics of the chromite-periclase products ensure a more complete stress relaxation in the products during their service and reduce the wear of the linings of the melting furnaces.Translated from Ogneupory, No. 8, pp. 17–18, August, 1991.     

Creep of concrete at elevated temperatures and boundary conditions of moisture

First test results are presented concerning the creep of concrete at elevated temperatures up to T = 130 °C, attained on both drying specimens and those in a vapour-saturated environment. The experiments were realized by new test techniques, which were developed on the basis of a critical analysis of former creep tests.The creep deformations of unsealed specimens heated up after loading are in the scattering range of results known so far. However, sealed specimens under vapour-saturated conditions for T = 130 °C as opposed to T = 20 °C leads to creep deformations about 10 times higher. The results are discussed and conclusions drawn.     

Molecular weights of polyethylene and polypropylene by vapor pressure osmometry at elevated temperatures

The Wescan Model 232-A VPO was modified with a 12 volt regulated power supply for supplying bridge current and with thermocouples to allow for direct digital readout of the syringe box and measuring chamber temperatures. The modified instrument was used to measure M _n of standard (NBS) polyethylenes. Agreement with NBS values was good (within 10%) for M _n < 3 × 10⁴ and fair (within 20%) for M _n = 1 × 10⁵. Results on M _n of commercial polypropylenes are also reported.     

Mechanical properties and microstructure of high strength concrete containing polypropylene fibres exposed to temperatures up to 200 °C

High strength concrete has been used in situations where it may be exposed to elevated temperatures. Numerous authors have shown the significant contribution of polypropylene fibre to the spalling resistance of high strength concrete. This investigation develops some important data on the mechanical properties and microstructure of high strength concrete incorporating polypropylene fibre exposed to elevated temperature up to 200 °C. When polypropylene fibre high strength concrete is heated up to 170 °C, fibres readily melt and volatilise, creating additional porosity and small channels in the concrete. DSC and TG analysis showed the temperature ranges of the decomposition reactions in the high strength concrete. SEM analysis showed supplementary pores and small channels created in the concrete due to fibre melting. Mechanical tests showed small changes in compressive strength, modulus of elasticity and splitting tensile strength that could be due to polypropylene fibre melting.     

A new method for producing high melt strength polypropylene with reactive extrusion

A high‐melt‐strength polypropylene (HMSPP) was prepared using a twin‐screw reactive extruder from a commercial isotactic polypropylene through two stages, first, maleic anhydride is grafted to polypropylene to obtain a maleic anhydride‐grafted polypropylene (PP‐g‐MA), and then the grafted polymer is reacted with epoxy to extend the branched chain. Fourier transformed infrared spectroscopy indicated that maleic anhydride was grafted on polypropylene and reacted with epoxy. Melt flow rate and sag resistance test showed that the melt strength of the HMSPP improved considerably. Differential scanning calorimetry test showed that the long chain branches (LCBs) act as a nucleating agent in the crystallization of the HMSPP, which leads to a high crystallization temperature and crystallinity. Furthermore, the LCB efficiency of the HMSPP can also be calculated by analyzing its rheological property. POLYM. ENG. SCI., 2008. © 2008 Society of Plastics Engineers     

高熔体强度PP的制备研究

用辐照法制备出了高熔体强度聚丙烯（PP）：对其物理机械性能、熔体强度、熔体拉伸粘度、粘垂等进行了测试，研究了辐照剂量、交联剂种类和浓度，辐照后PP的热处理条件等对制备高熔体强度PP的影响；并在此基础上，还制备出了发泡倍率为15倍以上的发泡PP。     

Analysis of composite steel and concrete columns at high temperatures

The growing demand for knowledge about the effect of fire on structures has stimulated research worldwide. This article presents experimental results of short, composite columns made of steel and concrete when submitted to high temperatures in furnaces, with and without axial compression loading, as well as a numerical analysis of the temperature distribution in these columns. The columns were modeled as concrete‐filled tubes with three thicknesses and two diameters considered. In addition, standard fire temperature–time curves were obtained experimentally for use in the numerical calculations. Copyright © 2014 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Effects of stress during heating on strength and stiffness of concrete at elevated temperature

Concrete in structures exposed to high temperatures is practically always heated under stress. Yet, there are few experimental studies in which the concrete was heated under stress and then loaded to the peak, and most of these were performed under uniaxial compression. This paper reports on an experimental study of the effects of different heat–load regimes on the stress–strain behaviour of partially sealed concrete under multiaxial compression, at elevated temperature. The specimens were first heated (stressed/unstressed), then loaded to the peak in multiaxial compression. In contrast with previous experimental research, the results show that concrete heated under relatively low compressive stress has lower strength and stiffness than concrete heated without load. The results suggest that the presence of stress during first heating produces a specific damage, which could be the cause for a major component of the load induced thermal strain (LITS) in concrete.     

Behavior of high strength concrete with and without steel fiber reinforcement in triaxial compression

Based on an extensive experimental program, this paper studies the behavior of high strength concrete and steel fiber reinforced high strength concrete under uniaxial and triaxial compression. Triaxial stress-strain relations and failure criteria are used to evaluate the effect of steel fiber reinforcement on the mechanical properties of high strength concrete in triaxial compression, which is found to be insignificant.