Effect of polystyrene aggregate size on strength and moisture migration characteristics of lightweight concrete

The aim of this study is to investigate the effect of polystyrene aggregate size on strength and moisture migration characteristics of lightweight concrete. The present study covers the use of expanded polystyrene (EPS) and un-expanded polystyrene (UEPS) beads as lightweight aggregate in concretes that contain fly ash as a supplementary cementitious material. Lightweight concrete with wide range of concrete densities (1000–1900 kg/m³) were studied mainly for compressive strength, split tensile strength, moisture migration and absorption. The results indicate that for comparable aggregate size and concrete density, concrete with UEPS aggregate exhibited 70% higher compressive strength than EPS aggregate. EPS aggregate concrete with small EPS aggregates showed higher compressive strength and the increase in compressive strength was more pronounced in low density concrete when compared with high density concrete. The UEPS aggregate concrete exhibited brittle failure similar to normal weight concrete (NWC), whereas, gradual failure was observed in EPS concrete. Moreover, the moisture migration and absorption results indicate that the EPS concrete containing bigger size and higher volumes of EPS aggregate show higher moisture migration and absorption.     

Interdependence of microstructure and strength of structural lightweight aggregate concrete

The demand for lightweight concrete is steadily increasing because of economic and practical considerations. Hence, the inherent internal and external features of lightweight aggregates have been a subject of intense research in recent years. This study provides new insight into the micro-structural and chemical factors which influence the strength properties of structural lightweight aggregate concrete. These are described with respect to four expanded clay lightweight aggregates used in nine concrete compositions containing various types and proportions of dispersing agents such as water-reducing admixtures and superplasticizers, with silica fume and ground granulated blast-furnace slag as optional mineral admixtures. The microstructural characteristics of the paste-aggregate interface and the paste porosity of these concretes are discussed. The methods used include scanning electron microscopy-energy-dispersive X-ray analysis, X-ray diffraction analysis, optical microscopy and compressive strength testing.     

纤维/高强混凝土抗冻性能试验

通过纤维/高强混凝土快速冻融循环试验,从试件外观损伤形态、相对动弹性模量、抗冻等级、抗冻耐久性指数角度,研究了不同纤维体积分数的玄武岩纤维、纤维素纤维和不同纤维长度的玄武岩纤维对C60高强混凝土抗冻性能的影响。结果表明,加入玄武岩或纤维素纤维可改善C60高强混凝土的外观剥落损伤程度。C60高强混凝土的抗冻性均随玄武岩纤维（长度为18 mm）和纤维素纤维体积分数的增大而提高,在体积分数0.10vol%~0.20vol%内,前者的提高程度远大于后者,玄武岩纤维/高强混凝土能在更严酷的寒冷环境中满足更久的使用时间。玄武岩纤维长度的改变对C60高强混凝土的抗冻性影响较大,相对于18 mm长度,6 mm和30 mm长度的玄武岩纤维对C60高强混凝土抗冻性能改善作用很有限。      

Hybrid fiber reinforced concrete (HyFRC): fiber synergy in high strength matrices

In most cases, fiber reinforced concrete (FRC) contains only one type of fiber. The use of two or more types of fibers in a suitable combination may potentially not only improve the overall properties of concrete, but may also result in performance synergy. The combining of fibers, often called hybridization, is investigated in this paper for a very high strength matrix of an average compressive strength of 85 MPa. Control, single, two-fiber and three-fiber hybrid composites were cast using different fiber types such as macro and micro-fibers of steel, polypropylene and carbon. Flexural toughness tests were performed and results were extensively analyzed to identify synergy, if any, associated with various fiber combinations. Based on various analysis schemes, the paper identifies fiber combinations that demonstrate maximum synergy in terms of flexural toughness.     

Effect of aggregate properties on the strength and stiffness of lightweight concrete

An experimental program was carried out to obtain the compressive strengths and elastic moduli of cold-bonded pelletized lightweight aggregate concretes. Three types of aggregates were made with different fly ash contents. Experimental data were analyzed statistically. Test results of multivariate analysis of variance (MANOVA) with 95% confidence level (α=0.05) show that the properties of lightweight aggregates and the water/binder ratio are two significant factors affecting the compressive strength and elastic modulus of concrete.     

Experimental and analytical investigation of reinforced high strength concrete continuous beams strengthened with fiber reinforced polymer

Carbon and glass fiber reinforced polymer (CFRP and GFRP) are two materials suitable for strengthening the reinforced concrete (RC) beams. Although many in situ RC beams are of continuous constructions, there has been very limited research on the behavior of such beams with externally applied FRP laminate. In addition, most design guidelines were developed for simply supported beams with external FRP laminates. This paper presents an experimental program conducted to study the flexural behavior and redistribution in moment of reinforced high strength concrete (RHSC) continuous beams strengthened with CFRP and GFRP sheets. Test results showed that with increasing the number of CFRP sheet layers, the ultimate strength increases, while the ductility, moment redistribution, and ultimate strain of CFRP sheet decrease. Also, by using the GFRP sheet in strengthening the continuous beam reduced loss in ductility and moment redistribution but it did not significantly increase ultimate strength of beam. The moment enhancement ratio of the strengthened continuous beams was significantly higher than the ultimate load enhancement ratio in the same beam. An analytical model for moment–curvature and load capacity are developed and used for the tested continuous beams in current and other similar studies. The stress–strain curves of concrete, steel and FRP were considered as integrity model. Stress–strain model of concrete is extended from Oztekin et al.’s model by modifying the ultimate strain. Also, new parameters of equivalent stress block are obtained for flexural calculation of RHSC beams. Good agreement between experiment and prediction values is achieved.     

炭纤维增强轻质矿粉混凝土的热电行为

炭纤维增强混凝土能用来感知温度,其因在于短炭纤维的P-型传导性引起的塞贝克(Seebeck)效应所致.通过测量添加炭纤维或矿质掺和物(飞灰、硅土粉)前后六种波特兰水泥基混凝土的热电功率,研究了炭纤维增强轻质混凝土热敏的能力及其矿质掺合物对Seebeck效应的影响.结果表明: 炭纤维增强轻质混凝土具有类似于炭纤维增强标准混凝土的Seebeck效应,只是Seebeck系数因掺合了矿粉而减低.掺有矿粉的炭纤维增强轻质混凝土可用作建筑物的热传感器.     

Response of steel fiber reinforced high strength concrete beams: Experiments and code predictions

The shear-flexure response of steel fiber reinforced concrete (SFRC) beams was investigated.Thirty-six reinforced concrete beams with and without conventional shear reinforcement (stirrups) were tested under a four-point bending configuration to study the effectiveness of steel fibers on shear and flexural strengths, failure mechanisms, crack control, and ductility.The major factors considered were compressive strength (normal strength and high strength concrete up to 100 MPa), shear span-effective depth ratio (a/d = 1.5, 2.5, 3.5), and web reinforcement (none, stirrups and/or steel fibers).The response of RC beams was evaluated based on the results of crack patterns, load at first cracking, ultimate shear capacity, and failure modes.The experimental evidence showed that the addition of steel fibers improves the mechanical response, i.e., flexural and shear strengths and the ductility of the flexural members.Finally, the most recent code-based shear resistance predictions for SFRC beams were considered to discuss their reliability with respect to the experimental findings. The crack pattern predictions are also reviewed based on the major factors that affect the results.     

聚丙烯纤维增强混凝土干接缝的抗剪性能

为了研究聚丙烯纤维对预制节段混凝土桥梁干接缝剪切性能的影响,本试验以接缝类型、键齿数量、混凝土类型、聚丙烯纤维掺量和水平正应力大小为试验参数,对C40普通混凝土和C40聚丙烯纤维增强混凝土试件进行抗剪性能的试验研究。记录了试件开裂载荷、极限载荷和残余载荷,同时也研究了试件开裂破坏模式和规范化剪应力-竖直位移曲线的关系。试验结果表明：聚丙烯纤维有利于提高干接缝试件的开裂荷载、极限荷载以及有利于试件的塑性变形;聚丙烯纤维对阻止干接缝试件开裂能起到一定的作用,但是聚丙烯纤维不同掺量的影响规律不明显。     

钢-聚丙烯混杂纤维混凝土轴心受拉应力-应变关系研究

既有研究表明,在混凝土基体中同时加入钢(S)纤维和聚乙烯醇(PVA)纤维,形成S-PVA混杂纤维混凝土,可以显著提升混凝土的综合性能。在此基础上,依据钢纤维、PVA纤维长度和掺量的不同,设计了17组试验组,完成了单轴受力全过程试验。根据试验结果,定量分析了钢纤维、PVA纤维对于改善混凝土弹性模量、材料韧性、抗拉抗压强度及其峰值应变的影响;提出了实用的S-PVA混杂纤维混凝土单轴受拉和受压应力-应变曲线数学表达式。提出的计算公式与试验结果吻合较好,可以为混杂纤维混凝土结构的设计和非线性分析提供理论基础。     

钢纤维混凝土动态抗拉强度的实验研究

基于线弹性和一维应力波假定,采用Φ75mmSHPB对钢纤维体积率Vf分别为0、0.75%和1.50%的三种混凝土材料进行了一维杆层裂实验,考虑了应力波在混凝土材料内传播时的波形弥散效应和应力幅值衰减,通过计算应变片记录的应力信号确定了材料的动态抗拉强度。结果表明,钢纤维混凝土的动态抗拉强度受应变率和钢纤维体积率的影响,本文为测试脆性材料的动态抗拉强度提供了一种有效方法。基于微观扫描技术,对钢纤维增强机理进行了分析。     

配钢率对型钢混凝土异形柱抗震性能的影响分析

为研究型钢混凝土异形柱框架的空间受力性能,对一个五层的双向两跨空间框架模型进行了低周反复加载试验,得到了空间框架的破坏形态及滞回曲线和骨架曲线,分析了其延性、位移角、刚度、耗能等抗震性能指标。基于此,采用OpenSees建立了空间框架的有限元模型,计算结果与试验结果吻合较好,进而对空间框架的破坏机制和协同工作机制进行了探讨,并分析了不同加载角下轴压比和柱肢长宽比对空间框架受力性能的影响。研究结果表明：型钢混凝土异形柱空间框架的梁端先于柱端发生破坏,节点损伤相对轻微,边框架的破坏程度比中框架严重;出铰顺序呈现为从梁端到柱端、从低层到高层、从中榀到边榀的发展规律;空间框架的滞回曲线基本对称且较为饱满,具有较好的延性及较强的耗能能力和抗倒塌能力,受力性能优于没有连接的独立框架;随着加载角的增大,空间框架的承载能力和耗能能力显著提高,初始刚度略微增大,延性先变好后变差;在相同加载角下,随着轴压比增大,空间框架的承载能力、延性和耗能能力均降低,初始刚度先增大后减小;随着柱肢长宽比增大,空间框架的承载能力、初始刚度和耗能能力均提高,延性变差。     

Load-carrying capacity of lightly reinforced,prefabricated walls of lightweight aggregate concrete with open structure

The paper presents and evaluates the results of a coordinated testing of prefabricated, lightly reinforced walls of lightweight aggregate concrete with open structure. The coordinated testing covers all wall productions in Denmark and will therefore provide a representative assessment of the quality actually produced. Existing and new formulas for the capacity are evaluated by comparison to the test results and a new model with a good correlation with the test results is presented.     

Shear strength of concrete filled glass fiber reinforced gypsum walls

Glass fiber reinforced gypsum (GFRG) walls, known as a green product that helps to save energy and protect the environment, are promising new building materials developed in Australia in the early 1990s. Driven by the wide-spread interest from the construction industry and the research community, substantial research has been carried out in Australia and a few Asian countries such as China, Malaysia and India to investigate its performance, including the structural behavior for building construction. This paper investigates the shear strength of GFRG walls fully or partially filled with concrete in the hollow cores. Eight full scale GFRG walls were tested under cyclic loadings. The shear performance of the tested walls, including the shear failure mode, hysteresis responses, the ultimate shear strength and the axial load effect, were studied in the paper. With the aid of nonlinear finite element analyses, a design procedure for the shear strength of the concrete filled GFRG walls is developed.     

高应变率下SFRC三轴劈拉强度实验研究

通过建立一种简单可行的混凝土多轴动态强度测试方法,对球型混凝土试样进行对比实验研究,应用该方法在试样承受对径荷载时可以近似为三轴压-拉-拉应力状态,通过直接测量对径荷载从而间接求出材料的劈拉强度。通过实验对比不同应变率下的球型试样劈拉强度可以得出劈拉强度随着应变率的增大而提高,对比不同钢纤维掺量下的球形试样劈拉强度可以得出一定范围内的钢纤维掺量能提高混凝土的劈拉强度,尤其在高应变率下的提高幅度更为明显。     

玄武岩纤维增强聚合物筋增强珊瑚礁砂混凝土柱轴压试验

为了解决南海岛礁强腐蚀海洋环境下普通钢筋混凝土结构耐久性不足的问题,提出一种新型玄武岩纤维增强聚合物(BFRP)筋增强珊瑚礁砂混凝土柱。对15根混凝土柱进行了轴压试验,分析了试件的受力过程和破坏形态,获得了荷载-位移和荷载-应变曲线,揭示了BFRP筋增强珊瑚礁砂混凝土柱的破坏机制。结果表明:BFRP筋增强珊瑚礁砂混凝土柱破坏模式具有三阶段特征,破坏始于强度较低的珊瑚礁石骨料,最终为珊瑚礁石骨料和交界面的整体破坏;相同配筋率下,BFRP筋增强珊瑚礁砂混凝土柱的承载力与钢筋增强珊瑚礁砂混凝土柱相当。      

Neural networks analysis of compressive strength of lightweight concrete after high temperatures

When concrete, one of the most important structural materials, is exposed to elevated temperatures generally strength loss is observed. Decrease ratio in the compressive strength depends on many materials and experimental factors. An artificial neural network (ANN) approach was used to model the compressive strength of lightweight and semi lightweight concretes with pumice aggregate subjected to high temperatures. Model inputs were the target temperature, pumice aggregate ratio and heating duration and the output was the compressive strength of pumice aggregate concrete. Data on the compressive strength of pumice aggregate concrete after the effects of high temperatures was obtained from a previous experimental study. The predicted values of the ANN are in accordance with the experimental data. The results indicate that the model can predict the compressive strength with adequate accuracy.     

A new method of producing high strength oil palm shell lightweight concrete

This paper presents a new method to produce high strength lightweight aggregate concrete (HSLWAC) using an agricultural solid waste, namely oil palm shell (OPS). This method is based on crushing large old OPS. Crushed OPS are hard and have a strong physical bond with hydrated cement paste. The 28 and 56 days compressive strength achieved in this study were about 53 and 56 MPa, respectively. Furthermore, it was observed that it was possible to produce grade 30 OPS concrete without the addition of any cementitious materials. Compared to previous studies, significantly lower cement content was used to produce this grade of concrete. Unlike OPS concrete incorporating uncrushed OPS aggregate, this study found that there is a strong correlation between the short term and 28-day compressive strength.