High strength characteristics of cement mortar reinforced with hybrid fibres

An experimental study was conducted on high strength mortar reinforced with steel fibres and hybrid fibres consisting of steel fibre, palm fibre and synthetic fibre (Barchip). The inclusion of fibres was maintained at a volumetric fraction of 2%. The compressive strength, splitting tensile strength, static modulus of elasticity, shrinkage, flexural strength, and flexural toughness were determined to study the effect of the hybrid fibres on the properties of high strength cement mortar (HSCM). The results showed that hybridization of fibres in the quantities 1.5% steel fibres + 0.25% palm fibres + 0.25% Barchip fibres, improved the compressive strength and flexural toughness significantly, and also enhanced the splitting tensile strength and flexural strength of the mortar by about 44% and 140%, respectively.     

Correlations among mechanical properties of steel fiber reinforced concrete

In this paper, applicability of previously published empirical relations among compressive strength, splitting tensile strength and flexural strength of normal concrete, polypropylene fiber reinforced concrete (PFRC) and glass fiber reinforced concrete (GFRC) to steel fiber reinforced concrete (SFRC) was evaluated; moreover, correlations among these mechanical properties of SFRC were analyzed. For the investigation, a large number of experimental data were collected from published literature, where water/binder ratio (w/b), steel fiber aspect ratio and volume fraction were reported in the general range of 0.25–0.5, 55–80 and 0.5–2.0%, respectively, and specimens were cylinders with size of Φ 150 × 300 mm and prisms with size of 150 × 150 × 500 mm. Results of evaluation on these published empirical relations indicate the inapplicability to SFRC, also confirm the necessity of determination on correlations among mechanical properties of SFRC. Through the regression analysis on the experimental data collected, power relations with coefficients of determination of 0.94 and 0.90 are obtained for SFRC between compressive strength and splitting tensile strength, and between splitting tensile strength and flexural strength, respectively.     

Performance of an alkali-activated slag concrete reinforced with steel fibers

This study investigated mechanical and permeability properties at early ages of an alkali-activated slag concrete (AASC) reinforced with steel fibers. The compressive, splitting tensile and flexural strengths, flexural notch sensitivity, pull-out and water absorption properties were evaluated. Test results reveal a reduction of AASC compressive strengths with fiber incorporations. However, splitting tensile and flexural strengths were largely improved with increasing fiber volume, varying from 3.75 to 4.64 MPa and from 6.40 to 8.86 MPa at 28 days of curing, respectively. The properties related to durability performance as water absorption, capillarity and water resistance penetration were enhanced with the steel fibers addition. The results show the enormous potential of AASC as building material with and without steel fiber reinforcement.     

Strengths and flexural strain of CRC specimens at low temperature

Crumb rubber concrete (CRC) is made by adding rubber crumbs into conventional concrete. This study undertakes an experimental study on the cubic compressive strength, axial compressive strength, flexural strength and splitting tensile strength of CRC specimens at both ambient temperature 20 °C and low temperature ?25 °C. The flexural stress–strain responses were also recorded. The averaged size of rubber crumbs used in the study is about 1.5 mm. Four levels of rubber contents are investigated, which are 0%, 5%, 10% and 15% by volume, respectively. The mix design aimed at 40 MPa of compressive strength and 100 mm of slump for all the CRC specimens. The results show that CRC increases its magnitude in strengths when temperature decreases, which is similar to the case of conventional concrete, but still exhibits ductility in low temperature. The conclusion from this study is that CRC may be more beneficial in its application in low temperature environments than in ambient temperature environments.     

Use of power plant bottom ash as fine and coarse aggregates in high-strength concrete

In this study, experiments have been carried out to evaluate the utilization of bottom ash (by-product of power plant) as fine and coarse aggregates in high-strength concrete with compressive strength of 60–80 MPa. Firstly, the chemical and physical characteristics of bottom ash particles, such as chemical compositions, specific gravity and SEM images, were investigated. Further experiments were conducted by replacing fine and coarse bottom ash with normal sand and gravel varying in percentages (25%, 50%, 75%, and 100%). The effect of fine and coarse bottom ash on the flow characteristics and density of concrete mixture was investigated in the aspect of particle shapes and paste absorption of bottom ash. Mechanical properties, such as compressive strengths and modulus of elasticity and flexural strength of high-strength concrete with bottom ash were evaluated. It was found that the slump flow of fresh concrete was slightly decreased from 530 mm to 420 mm when coarse bottom ash was replaced 100% of normal coarse aggregates, while fine bottom ash did not affect the slump flow. Moreover, it also showed that both of fine and coarse bottom ash aggregates had more influence on the flexural strength than compressive strength.     

Post-crack (or post-peak) flexural response and toughness of fiber reinforced concrete after exposure to high temperature

Several studies have already reported on the various effects of high temperature on the mechanical properties of fiber reinforced concrete (FRC). Some of these effects include changes in; compressive strength, compression toughness and splitting tensile strength. None of the previous studies have investigated the changes that might occur on the post-crack flexural response and flexural toughness. Post-crack (or peak) response and toughness is considered one of FRC’s key beneficial characteristics – as the purpose of adding fibers is to increase the energy absorption and load carrying capacity after an initial crack. In this study, the flexural toughness test according to ASTM C1018 was carried out on two types of concrete: plain concrete and fiber reinforced concrete with three different types of fiber (steel, polypropylene, and polyethylene) at 0.5% and 1.0% by volume fractions. Prior to the flexural test, the specimens were put in an oven chamber and subjected to high temperatures using the ISO/TR834 standards of: 400 °C, 600 °C and 800 °C. The results showed the typical load–deflection response of FRC was a double-peak response. The first peak represented the properties of concrete matrix and the second peak represented the properties of the fibers used. Under flexural load, instead of dropping (or remaining unchanged), the post-peak load and the toughness were found to increase at lower temperatures (400 °C) and later, decreased as the temperature increased (600 °C and 800 °C). Fiber type and content also played an important role. At a temperature of 400 °C, all FRCs exhibited higher flexural strength and increased post-peak response and toughness. A significant decrease in strength, toughness and load–deflection response was observed with synthetic or plastic FRC (PFRC) when the temperature approached 800 °C. When steel FRC (SFRC) was used, those effects were relatively small. It appears, SFRC has better heat resistance than the PFRC. The density (measured by ultrasonic pulse velocity) was found to decrease more in the PFRC than in the SFRC.     

Experimental investigations on the influence of paste composition and content on the properties of Self-Compacting Concrete

The aim of this paper is to investigate the influence of paste composition and paste volume on the fresh and hardened properties of Self-Compacting Concrete. Nineteen SCC mixtures were investigated for different paste composition and paste volume. Fresh concrete tests such as slump flow, J ring, and V funnel test were performed; hardened concrete tests were limited to compressive strength. The results revealed that slump flow and J ring flow increased with increase in paste volume. A simple empirical equation was proposed for the determination of the paste volume for the required slump flow of SCC. Compressive strength of the different SCC mixtures ranged between 20 MPa and 70 MPa.     

Strength reduction factors for structural rubbercrete

Many researches have been carried out to study the fresh and hardened properties of concrete containing crumb rubber as replacement to fine aggregate by volume, yet there is no specific guideline has been developed on the mix design of the rubbercrete. The experimental program, which has been developed and reported in this paper, is designed and executed to provide such mix design guidelines. A total of 45 concrete mixes with three different water to cement ratio (0.41, 0.57 and 0.68) were cast and tested for fresh and mechanical properties of rubbercrete such as slump, air content, unit weight, compressive strength, flexural strength, splitting tensile strength and modulus of elasticity. Influence of mix design parameters such as percentage of crumb rubber replacement, cement content, water content, fine aggregate content, and coarse aggregate content were investigated. Three levels of slump value (for conventional concrete mixes) has been selected; low, medium and high slump. In each slump level, water content was kept constant. Equations for the reduction factors (RFs) for compressive strength, flexural strength, splitting tensile strength and modulus of elasticity have been developed. These RFs can be used to design rubbercrete mixes based on the conventional mix (0% crumb rubber content)     

冻融损伤混凝土力学性能衰减规律

为研究冻融作用对混凝土力学性能的影响,采用快冻法将混凝土盐冻或水冻至不同损伤程度后,测其动弹性模量、抗折强度、抗压强度和劈裂抗拉强度.以动弹性模量为损伤变量,分析了冻融损伤与抗折、抗压强度之间的关系,采用回归分析的方法建立了抗折强度衰减方程.结果表明,混凝土抗压、抗折、劈裂抗拉强度以及动弹性模量均随冻融循环作用次数的增加而逐步降低;抗折、劈裂抗拉强度以及动弹性模量的衰减速率随冻融循环作用次数的增加而不断增大,但抗压强度的衰减速率则是先增大后减小;在冻融循环次数相同的情况下,含气量越高、水灰比越低,混凝土的强度损失越小,其力学性能损失的大小顺序依次为:抗折强度和劈裂抗拉强度、动弹性模量、抗压强度;冻融损伤与抗折强度的相关性较好,但与抗压强度的相关性较差,当冻融损伤小于40%时,混凝土的抗压强度一般不低于其初始强度的70%.     

轻骨料预湿程度对混合骨料混凝土力学性能的影响

研究了用不同预湿程度的页岩陶粒与碎石以体积比1：1混合配制的混合骨料混凝土拌合物性能和力学性能.结果表明,随着陶粒预湿时间的延长,混合骨料混凝土拌合物坍落度经时损失逐渐减小,7d抗压强度逐渐降低,劈拉强度与抗折强度在轻骨料预湿时间小于1h时略有增加.28d抗压强度、劈拉强度、抗折强度和弹性模量都逐渐增加.用预湿1h的陶粒配制的混合骨料混凝土7d与28d的拉压比和折压比与轻骨料混凝土相比几乎没有降低,其弹性模量比同条件的轻骨料混凝土高32.9%,比强度高10.5%.     

单一纤维对道路混凝土力学性能影响

研究了钢纤维和聚丙烯纤维对道路混凝土力学性能的影响。试验中两种规格的钢纤维以1∶1加入混凝土,体积掺量为0.6%~1.2%,聚丙烯纤维体积掺量为0.1%~0.3%。研究表明,钢纤维的加入对混凝土的抗压强度、抗折强度和劈拉强度都有不同程度的提高,掺量为0.9%时,增强效果最为明显。掺入聚丙烯纤维对抗压强度无增强作用,对抗折强度和劈拉强度有一定影响,以0.1%的掺量最为合理。     

Effect of fly ash addition on the mechanical properties of tile adhesive

Statistical relationship between various strengths of tile adhesives in which cement or sand was partially replaced with fly ash was studied. A low-lime fly ash was used in five different replacement levels from 5% to 30% by weight of either cement or sand. The tensile adhesion, flexural and compressive strengths of adhesives were determined at 2, 7 and 28 days. In small substitution levels, sand replacement increased the tensile adhesion strength. No strong relationship was found between tensile adhesion strength and flexural or compressive strength of the specimens in which the fly ash was used as sand replacement (r < 0.659). Strong relationship was observed between the same properties when fly ash was used as cement replacement (r > 0.896). Flexural and compressive strength values showed quite strong relationship (r > 0.949). This may be due to the fact that both of these strength values were obtained on the same specimens.     

The properties of concrete made with fine dune sand

This paper presents the results of a study that investigated the properties of concrete made with dune sand. Different control concrete mixtures using ordinary Portland cement (OPC) with a minimum design compressive strength of 40 N/mm² were prepared. The amount of fine aggregates constituted about 36% by weight of all the aggregates. The workability ranged from low of 16 mm to a high of 122 mm. For each control mix, other mixtures were prepared in which the fine aggregates were replaced by different percentages of dune sand ranging from 10% to 100%. The effect of dune sand on the workability, compressive strength, tensile strength, modulus of elasticity and initial surface absorption test (ISAT) was studied. Experimental results show an improvement in the workability of concrete when fine aggregates were partially replaced by dune sand. An increase in slump was measured with increase in dune sand content. However, at high dune sand contents (above 50%); the slump starts to decrease with an increase in dune sand. Generally, the strength values decrease with increase in dune sand replacement. The strength loss was not found considerable as the maximum reduction was less than 25% when fine aggregates were fully replaced by dune sand. The absorption characteristics of concrete made with OPC as measured by the (ISAT) generally increased with higher dune sand contents.     

钢纤维全轻混凝土力学性能试验研究

为探究钢纤维体积掺量对全轻混凝土力学性能的影响,设计了钢纤维体积掺量为0、1%、2%的全轻混凝土试块,对其进行抗压强度、弹性模量、劈裂抗拉强度以及抗折强度试验,并对试验现象和数据进行对比分析。试验结果表明:钢纤维能有效地限制全轻混凝土试块裂缝的发生和发展,随着钢纤维体积掺量的增加,全轻混凝土的抗压强度、弹性模量、劈裂抗拉强度和抗折强度都得到了大幅度的增加,使全轻混凝土表现出更好的变形能力和承载力。     

Influence of mineral additions on the performance of 100% recycled aggregate concrete

A judicious use of resources, by using by-products and waste materials, and a lower environmental impact, by reducing carbon dioxide emission and virgin aggregate extraction, allow to approach sustainable building development. Recycled aggregate concrete (RAC) containing supplementary cementitious materials (SCM), if satisfactory concrete properties are achieved, can be an example of such sustainable construction materials.In this work concrete specimens were manufactured by completely replacing fine and coarse aggregates with recycled aggregates from a rubble recycling plant. Also RAC with fly ash (RA + FA) or silica fume (RA + SF) were studied.Concrete properties were evaluated by means of compressive strength and modulus of elasticity in the first experimental part. In the second experimental part, compressive and tensile splitting strength, dynamic modulus of elasticity, drying shrinkage, reinforcing bond strength, carbonation, chloride penetration were studied. Satisfactory concrete properties can be developed with recycled fine and coarse aggregates with proper selection and proportioning of the concrete materials.     

不同取代率再生粗骨料混凝土的力学性能

系统研究了坍落度相同的情况下再生粗骨料取代率对混凝土基本性能的影响.试验中再生粗骨料的掺入量分别为0,30%,50%,70%和100%,通过调节用水量使各组混凝土达到相同的坍落度.主要研究了达到相同坍落度时混凝土的用水量以及再生粗骨料取代率对混凝土坍落度、立方体抗压强度、棱柱体抗压强度、峰值应变和泊松比、弹性模量、劈裂抗拉强度以及抗折强度的影响.试验结果表明,再生粗骨料取代率对上述各性能指标均有一定影响,但程度不同.同时发现,除劈裂抗拉强度和抗折强度外,普通混凝土各基本力学性能指标间的关系不适用各种再生骨料取代率的混凝土.     

Comparative flexural behavior of Hybrid Ultra High Performance Fiber Reinforced Concrete with different macro fibers

The flexural performance of four Hybrid (H-) Ultra High Performance Fiber Reinforced Concretes (UHPFRCs) with different macro fibers was investigated according to ASTM standards C1018-97 and C 1609/C 1609M-05. Four macro fibers were long smooth (LS-) steel fiber, two types of hooked (HA- and HB-) steel fibers, and twisted (T-) steel fibers while one type of micro fiber, short smooth (SS-) steel fiber, was blended. The enhancements in modulus of rupture, deflection capacity and energy absorption capacity were different according to the types of macro fiber as the amount of micro fiber blended increased. The order of flexural performance of H-UHPFRC according to the types of macro fiber was as follows: HB- > T- > LS- > HA-fiber. The influence of strain capacity in tension on the flexural performance of H-UHPFRC was also examined. The deflection capacity and the ratio between flexural strength and tensile strength were dependent upon the strain capacity of H-UHPFRC.     

Mechanical properties of hybrid fiber reinforced lightweight aggregate concrete made with natural pumice

The purpose of this study is to improve the ductility of pumice lightweight aggregate concrete by incorporating hybrid steel and polypropylene fibers. The changes in mechanical properties and also bulk density and workability of pumice lightweight aggregate concrete due to the addition of hybrid steel and polypropylene fibers have been studied. The properties were investigated include bulk density and workability of fresh concrete as well as compressive strength, flexural tensile strength, splitting tensile strength and toughness of hardened concrete. Nine concrete mixtures with different volume fractions of steel and polypropylene fibers were tested. A large increase in compressive and flexural ductility and energy absorption capacity due to the addition of steel fibers was observed. Polypropylene fibers, on the other hand, caused a minor change in mechanical properties of hardened concrete especially in the mixtures made with both steel and polypropylene fibers. These observations provide insight into the benefits of different fiber reinforcement systems to the mechanical performance of pumice lightweight aggregate concrete which is considered to be brittle. These results provide guidance for design of concrete materials with reduced density and enhanced ductility for different applications, including construction of high-rise, earthquake-resistant buildings.     

Properties of polymer modified steel fiber-reinforced cement concretes

Polymer modified steel fiber-reinforced concretes were produced with addition of both steel fibers and a styrene butadiene rubber emulsion (SBR). Both flexural and compressive strength of the composites after 28 days curing were tested. Microstructures of the composites were analyzed by using scanning electron microscope and mercury intrusion porosimetry. Results show that the addition of steel fibers increases both flexural and compressive strength of the composites. The flexural strength increases significantly when containing 3–10 wt.% SBR. The optimal use of SBR is 5 wt.%. However, the compressive strength may decrease with the addition of SBR. When the addition arrives 10 wt.%, a 16% reduction is observed. The overall porosity and pore size distribution of the composites vary with SBR content. The addition of 3 or 5 wt.% SBR can refine the pore size distribution. Interweaving polymer films were observed in the composites.     

纤维增强轻骨料混凝土力学性能试验研究

选用钢纤维、聚丙烯纤维及二元混杂纤维轻骨料混凝土,系统研究了其抗压强度、弹性模量、轴心抗压强度及抗折强度等力学性能,试验结果体现了不同纤维种类、不同纤维掺量及纤维混杂比例对轻骨料混凝土力学性能的影响;当钢纤维以体积率1.0%与聚丙烯纤维0.6kg/m3混杂时,纤维轻骨料混凝土的各项力学性能达到优化.