Restrained shrinkage in repaired reinforced concrete elements

This paper describes an analytical model of restrained shrinkage in repaired reinforced concrete elements. The results of analysis and test show that the effect of restrained shrinkage on the serviceability of the repaired element is quite significant. The computer based analysis proposed can be applied to predict progressive crack development in a repair material subjected to restrained shrinkage during construction. The properties of repair materials, such as ultimate strain in tension, creep coefficient and free shrinkage, are major factors influencing the performance of structural repairs. Restrained shrinkage is related to the stiffness of a repaired section of known structure. The effect of moment redistribution on restrained shrinkage is significant in elements of indeterminate structure. The stress and strain caused by restrained shrinkage in elements of indeterminate structure are higher than in elements of known structure, and an example given in this paper shows an increase in strain of about 30%.     

Experimental behaviour of existing precast prestressed reinforced concrete elements strengthened with cementitious composites

Strengthening of reinforced concrete (RC) members by means of fibre reinforced polymers (FRP) has gained increasing importance in the last few decades. On the other hand the necessity of skilled labour, high costs and particularly the weak response under high temperature conditions represent critical issues for the effective application of this technique. The use of fibre reinforced cementitious matrix (FRCM) composites applied to RC members seems to be a promising technique since it combines cost economy and high performance. Despite the fact that a number of experimental investigations on strengthening of RC elements by means of fibre reinforced polymers (FRP) composites are available in the literature, very little information is available about fibre reinforced cementitious matrix composite (FRCM). Hence, the use of cementitious composites in strengthening of RC structures is strongly limited by the lack of design models, guidelines, and recommendations and by the few available experimental investigations.This work aims to better understand the behaviour of FRCM strengthened RC full-scale elements through experimental tests on precast prestressed double-T beams. In addition to investigating the experimental behaviour of an innovative and promising strengthening system, a further element of novelty of the work is that the tested beams belong to an actual existing industrial building, since the few experimental tests available in the literature are mostly related to small-scale and cast-in-place RC elements.     

Experimental methodology on the serviceability behaviour of reinforced ultra-high performance fibre reinforced concrete tensile elements

Design codes include serviceability limit state (SLS) provisions for stress, crack, and deflection control in concrete structures, which may limit the structural design. When drawing on reinforced ultra-high performance fibre-reinforced concrete (R-UHPFRC), the process of cracking differs significantly from traditional concretes. Thus, it remains unclear whether the traditional provisions are applicable to R-UHPFRC or should be reviewed. Uniaxial tensile tie test is an excellent option to analyse and review these criteria. This work proposes a novel test methodology to study the behaviour of R-UHPFRC under serviceability conditions, which lets the study of the global and local deformation behaviour by using different measurement equipment. Two different types of R-UHPFRC ties with variant fibre content were tested. The global average tensile stress–strain curve, cracking behaviour, number, and width of cracks were obtained. Promising preliminary results admitted that this methodology can be useful to propose design criteria of R-UHPFRC under SLS.     

Fire behaviour of FRP-strengthened reinforced concrete structural elements: A state-of-the-art review

The last two decades have seen increasing applications of fibre reinforced polymer (FRP) materials in civil engineering structures due to their many advantages over traditional strengthening and reinforcing materials. Among the most common applications is bonding or wrapping FRP products (strips or sheets) to the exterior of reinforced concrete (RC) members to increase their strength or deformability. However, widespread application of FRP strengthening systems in buildings, where structural fire ratings are required, is hindered due to unknowns surrounding the reduction in their mechanical and bond properties at elevated temperatures. This paper presents a state-of-the-art review on the fire performance of FRP-strengthened RC structural elements. The review addresses first the mechanical behaviour at high temperature of the constituent materials of FRPs and how their bond to concrete is affected when heated. The paper then discusses available experimental and numerical studies on the fire behaviour of FRP-strengthened RC beams, slabs, and columns. Available design guidance is also discussed. Finally, recommendations for future research are given.     

Experimental study of the behaviour of reinforced high-strength concrete short corbels

Within the framework of the French National Project BHP 2000 (the BHP 2000 project is detailed in Toutlemondeet al. [1]), seven high-strength reinforced concrete short corbels were tested using concrete from 70 MPa to 120 MPa. The behaviour of a test specimen is characterised by the crack pattern and by LVDT and gauges measurements. The results show the influence of the concrete strength and that of the reinforcement quantity (Bourget and Delmas [2]). The failure conventional shear stresses computations with the relations proposed by B. Fouré [3] show that these relations are adapted to the strength evaluation of the short corbels with a safety coefficient.     

Shear strengthening of reinforced concrete members with textile reinforced mortar (TRM) jackets

The application of textile reinforced mortar (TRM) as a means of increasing the shear resistance of reinforced concrete members is investigated in this study. TRM may be considered as an alternative to fiber reinforced polymers (FRP), providing solutions to many of the problems associated with application of the latter without compromising much the performance of strengthened members. Based on the experimental response of reinforced concrete members strengthened in shear it is concluded that textile-mortar jacketing provides substantial gain in shear resistance; this gain is higher as the number of layers increases and, depending on the number of layers, is sufficient to transform shear-type failure to flexural failure. TRM jackets were provided in this study either by conventional wrapping of fabrics or by helically applied strips. Both systems resulted in excellent results in terms of increasing the shear resistance. However, compared with their resin-impregnated counterparts, mortar-impregnated textiles may result in reduced effectiveness. Modelling of reinforced concrete members strengthened in shear with TRM jackets instead of FRP ones is presented by the authors as a rather straightforward procedure by the proper introduction of experimentally derived jacket effectiveness coefficients. From the limited results obtained in this study it is believed that TRM jacketing is an extremely promising solution for increasing the shear resistance of reinforced concrete members.     

Efficiency of RC square columns repaired with polymer-modified cementitious mortars

This paper regards the axial behavior of reinforced concrete columns repaired by polymer-modified cementitious mortars. Tests were performed on eight columns with square cross-section: six were repaired with three types of polymer-modified cementitious mortars on all faces, two were in non-damaged and non-repaired condition (control elements). Tests were repeated varying mechanical properties (elastic modulus and compressive strength) of repair materials, maintaining the same repair thickness, including the reinforcement bars. Comparisons between repaired and control elements showed that polymer-modified cementitious mortars cannot restore the original load-bearing capacity of columns. In spite of this, selection of mortar mechanical properties plays a significant role. Among the three types of repair mortar tested in this experimental study, using the material with the most similar elastic modulus and higher compressive strength than that of the concrete substrate is recommended.     

Experimental investigations on polymer-modified concrete subjected to elevated temperatures

This paper presents the effect of elevated temperature and duration of exposures on polymer-modified concrete (PMC). Styrene Butadiene Rubber latex polymer solids were added in terms of 0, 5, 10 and 20 % by mass of cement. Curing of PMC specimen was done by the combination of wet and dry conditions. At appropriate ages, specimens were exposed to 200–800 °C for 1–3 h. The residual compressive strength was tested at 7 and 28 days. Micro structural properties were studied by XRD and SEM analysis. It was found that PMC and conventional concrete can be exposed to 400 °C for 3 h exposure without any adverse effect on strength properties. Addition of 20 % polymer was detrimental to concrete subjected to elevated temperature. Duration of exposure does not have much influence on the residual compressive strength properties of conventional concrete and PMC specimens.     

Analysis-oriented model for concrete and masonry confined with fiber reinforced mortar

Analysis-oriented model (AOM) is a theoretical approach intended to analyze and design systems by applying the notions throughout the organization of a series of equations in one or more iterative cycle. The stress–strain curve of an fiber reinforced polymer (FRP) confined column is evaluated using an incremental procedure, which takes into account the interaction between the confining material and the column itself. Many AOMs have been developed for FRP-confined columns, while the prediction of the behavior of the jacketing with fiber reinforced mortar (FRM) is, currently, still a lack of the literature due to the relative recent development of studies about this new confining composite material. The aim of this paper is to present and discuss a new AOM able to deliver the axial stress–strain law of an axially loaded column made of concrete or masonry and with circular or square cross-section, when FRM-confinement is provided. A step-by-step iteration of the axial strain was adopted considering that the column reacts elastically and the FRM confinement remains un-cracked in each single step. The elastic secant modulus of the column was, thereafter, considered in order to catch its non-linear behavior and a further secant modulus was also computed for modelling the damage evolution of the FRM confinement when increasing the axial load. Finally, a parametric study allowed to check the correct interpretation of the phenomenon. Moreover, the theoretical versus the experimental comparison validated the accuracy of the proposed model.     

Experimental analysis of flexural behaviour of externally bonded CFRP reinforced concrete structures

This pper focuses on the flexural behaviour of RC beams strengthened using carbon fibre pultruded plates. Several parameters (number of layers, effect of a precracking) are experimentally investigated on full-scale beams.     

Flexural behaviour of concrete slabs reinforced with steel sheet

This is a report on tests carried out on concrete slabs reinforced with bonded steel sheet, where flexural stiffness and ultimate capacity were improved versus conventional r. c. slabs. In the case of sheet metal, which has biaxial strength properties, the steel is far better utilized than in that of the uniaxial reinforcing bars, hence the slab structure is more economical. Fire- and corrosion protection is provided by a 10 mm coating of fire-shield plaster (or some other insulating agent).     

Experimental behaviour and hyper-strength of slightly reinforced concrete members bent up to collapse

The investigation reveals the main peculiarities (among which is the presence of a pronounced peak of moment before yielding) of the response to bending actions of slightly reinforced concrete structural members and shows that the trend in the reactive moments is strikingly different from what would result from the ‘classical’ analysis, especially in the region preceding yielding. One of the most interesting results in our opinion is the bringing to light of the role played by concrete which, with the same reinforcement, is capable of radically modifying the type of response and peak height, besides influencing the gap between the experimental yielding moment and the one that would results from the ‘classical’ procedure. Also shown is the fact that with particularly weak reinforcement (0.05%), high concrete strength is capable of bringing the cracking moment up to values far superior even to those of yielding. With weak reinforcement, hyper-strength does not relate only to the reinforcement percentage—as follows from various relationships proposed—but also, and in a determinant way, to concrete strength.     

Experimental testing of reinforced concrete slab behaviour under long‐term load

The paper presents the results of experimental testing of reinforced concrete rectangular slab under long‐term load and unload. The slab is freely supported at corners. Reinforcement is placed in the bottom and upper zone, different in each direction. The slab was subjected to high long‐term load for a year. Afterwards, it was unloaded. Slab displacements at different points have been monitored throughout the year and a half, as well as concrete and reinforcement strains at several measuring points.     

Flexural behaviour of strengthened reinforced concrete beams

A large experimental research programme has investigated the flexural strength of simply supported reinforced concrete beams. The beams were first damaged so that they could be strengthened by means of jackets (cast-in-place shotcrete or pre-packed special mortar plus additional new reinforcement). This paper analyses the flexural strength of these beams. The behaviour in service and ultimate state as well as the bond characteristics are studied.

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Résumé Au cours d'un vaste programme expérimental, on a étudié la résistance en flexion de poutres en béton armé à appui simple. Ces poutres ont d'abord été endommagées, pour ensuite être renforcées par du béton projeté ou par du mortier spécial préconditionné, avec l'adjonction de nouvelles armatures. Cet article discute de la résistance en flexion de ces poutres. Le comportement en service et à l'état limite ultime, ainsi que les caractéristiques d'adhérence, sont étudiés.

     

Time-dependent behaviour of widened reinforced concrete under-bridge

The paper reports on data acquired during 700 days of monitoring a widened reinforced concrete underbridge. The deck was monitored before, during and after widening and both portions of the deck, existing and new, were instrumented. Concrete strains were monitored by means of embedment and surface Vibrating Wire strain Gauges (VWG). Predicted creep, shrinkage, thermal and settlement strains were evaluated by means of a finite element analysis. The creep and shrinkage factors used were those from the simplified form of the B3 model [1]. Good agreement between calculated and measured longterm strains was observed at almost all gauge positions. From the analysis carried out, it was found that the stresses from the time dependent phenomena of creep, shrinkage and temperature, combined with those from the settlement of abutments, were greater than the magnitude of stresses obtained from the design live load.     

Post-cracking behaviour of steel fibre reinforced concrete

Recently, RILEM TC 162-TDF has proposed equivalent,f _eq , and residual,f _R , flexural tensile strength parameters to characterize and simulate the post-cracking behaviour of steel fibre reinforced concrete (SFRC) structures. In the current work, more than two hundred flexural tests are carried out according to the RILEM TC 162-TDF recommendations and the corresponding values off _eq andf _R parameters are evaluated. In series of specimens reinforced with fibres of a distinct length/diameter ratio, similar values off _eq andf _R parameters were obtained in these series. Although a strong correlation betweenf _eq andf _R was determined, a larger scatter off _R values was observed thereby revealingf _eq to be more appropriate for design purposes. A numerical strategy involving a cross sectional layered model and an inverse analysis was developed to evaluate the post-cracking stress-strain and the stress-crack opening diagrams for the tested SFRC. This strategy was also used to determine a relation between the post-cracking strain, ɛ ^pcr , and the crack opening displacement,w, (ɛ ^pcr =w/L _p ) which is useful for evaluating the crack opening when numerical strategies based on a stress-strain approach are used. The obtainedL _p values range from half the specimen cross section height to half the distance between the tip of the notch and the top of the cross section.

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Résumé Récemment, pour caractériser et simuler le comportement post-fissuration en traction du béton renforcé des fibres d'acier, la Commission Technique 162-TDF de la RILEM a proposé des paramètres désignés par résistance équivalente, f_eq, et résistance résiduelle, f_R, à la contrainte en flexion. Dans le travail présent, des valeurs de ces paramètres sont obtenues sur plus de deux cents essais de flexion effectués en accord avec les recommandations du TC 162-TDF de la RILEM. Des valeurs semblables de f_eq et f_R ont été obtenues dans des séries d'éprouvettes renforcées avec des fibres d'un rapport longueur/diamètre distinct. Bien qu'une forte corrélation entre f_eq et f_R ait été déterminée, une plus grande dispersion de valeurs du f_R a été observée, en démontrant que f_eq est plus approprié pour les buts du projet. Pour évaluer les diagrammes contrainte-déformation et contrainte-ouverture après fissuration, une stratégie numérique a été développée, en utilisant un modèle de section et en effectuant une analyse inverse. Cette stratégie a aussi été utilisée pour déterminer une relation entre la contrainte après fissuration, ɛ ^pcr , et l'ouverture de fissure, w, (ɛ ^pcr =w/L _p ) utile pour évaluer l'ouverture de la fissure quand les stratégies numériques sont basées sur une approche contrainte-déformation. Les valeurs de L_p obtenues ont varié entre la demi-hauteur de la section de l'éprouvette et la demi-distance entre l'extrémité de l'entaille et le sommet de la section.

     

Fatigue behaviour of steel fiber reinforced concrete

The results of an experimental investigation on the fatigue characteristics and residual strength of steel fiber reinforced concrete (SFRC) are reported. The testing program included flexural specimens as well as split-cylinders and cubes reinforced with two fiber types at a low volume content. One of the fibers was of the deformed slit-sheet type available at aspect ratios of 45 and 60. It is shown that SFRC has a better fatigue response than plain concrete and that the deformed slit-sheet fiber has an effect almost identical to hooked-end fiber of similar dimensions. There is no increase in residual strength measured by split-tension when specimens are subjected to fatigue stress above the endurance limit. Fatigue characteristics of SFRC from this testing program as well as previous works can be interpreted as a function of the fiber factor (i.e. a parameter accounting for volume fraction, aspect ratio and fiber type) to provide design charts. More experimental work is needed to provide an acceptable database for fatigue design of SFRC.     

Dynamic tensile behaviour of fibre reinforced concrete with spiral fibres

This paper performs drop-weight splitting tests to study the dynamic tensile properties of fibre reinforced concrete (FRC) materials with different steel fibres. A renovated splitting tensile testing method was developed to ensure a more qualified experimental process. The splitting tensile impact tests were conducted with an instrumented drop-weight impact system consisting of a hard steel drop weight, a fast-response load cell, a high-speed video camera and a high-frequency data acquisition system. The quasi-static compressive and splitting tests were also conducted to obtain the static properties of the FRC materials. The commonly used hooked-end steel fibre and a new spiral shaped steel fibre were tested in this study. The high-speed video camera was used to capture the detailed failure process, deformation and cracking process of the tested specimens. Average strain rates and the cracking extension displacement and velocity under impact loading were estimated by analysing the recorded high-speed images. The strains were also measured by the strain gages on the specimen surface. The dynamic stress–strain and stress–COD (cracking opening displacement) relations, the rate sensitivity of tensile strength and the corresponding energy absorption capacity of plain concrete and FRC with different fibres were obtained, compared and discussed. The advantage and effectiveness of the new spiral fibre in increasing the performance of FRC under dynamic tensile loading were examined. The results show that FRC with spiral fibres outperforms that with hooked-end fibres, and is a promising construction material in resisting dynamic loadings.     

Experimental investigation on the mechanical behaviour of the fiber reinforced high-performance concrete tunnel segment

The main objective of this paper is to investigate the composite effect of macro steel fiber and steel rebar on the mechanical behaviour of tunnel segment with fiber reinforced high-performance concrete (FRHPC). A new experimental method is used for simulating the loading state of the tunnel segment. The experiment including several symmetric-inclination beams with various steel ratios and fiber contents has been carried out. The results indicate that the addition of 50 kg/m³ steel fibers can partly replace the shear reinforcement, and increases the ultimate load and the energy absorption capacity as well as the toughness. The combination of steel fibers and steel rebars illustrates synergistic response and indicates an optimal choice of reinforcement for tunnel segment.