The first objective of this thesis was to determine the effect of using self-consolidating concrete versus normal concrete on transfer and development lengths, and flexural strengths of prestressed members. Three small rectangular members were made, two cast with SCC mixes and one cast with a conventional mix, to determine the transfer length of each mix. Transfer lengths of both ends of each member were determined by measuring the concrete surface strains. The change in the transfer length was monitored by determining the transfer length of each member at prestress release, 7 days after release, and 28 days after release. All concrete mixes had lower than code determined transfer lengths at prestress release. Each concrete mix showed between a 12 to 56 percent increase in transfer length after 28 days. One SCC mix exceeded the ACI code stipulated 50 strand diameters 7 days after prestress transfer. The other SCC mix was consistently below the transfer length of the conventional concrete. Separate development length members were cast in a stay-in-place steel form used for creating structural double tees. Each development length member was a stub tee. Iterative load testing was performed to determine the development length of each SCC and conventional mix. Development lengths for both SCC mixes were approximately 20 percent shorter than ACI and AASHTO code predictions. A development length for the conventional concrete was not determined due to non-repeating test data. The flexural strength of each member was determined during load testing. All concrete mixes achieved higher than the ACI predicted strengths. The second objective of this thesis was to experimentally measure prestress losses and compare these experimental values to theoretical models. Crack initiation and crack reopening tests were performed to experimentally determine the prestress losses in each member. Three theoretical models were evaluated, the sixth edition PCI Design Handbook suggested model, a 1975 PCI Committee on Prestress Losses model, and the AASHTO LRFD prestress loss model. The crack initiation experimental values tended to be between 10 and 15 percent lower than theoretical models. In general, the crack reopening prediction of the effective prestress had a good correlation with theoretical models. This suggests crack reopening tests can be used as predictors of effective prestress, and as such, predictors of prestress losses in future experimental research. Additionally, the concrete type was shown to affect the prestress losses determined in the development length members. The SCC members tended to have higher effective prestress forces than the conventional concrete members, and thus had less prestress losses due to creep and shrinkage than the conventional concrete members. / Master of Science

In the precast construction market, the competitive situation is significantly affected by price, cost, productivity, and quality factors. Since self-consolidating concrete (SCC) was first introduced to the concrete industry in the late 1980s, it has been used worldwide in variety of applications. Despite the documented technical and economic advantages of SCC in precast, prestressed applications, the use of SCC has been limited in some countries due to some technical uncertainties of such innovative material. To explore some unsolved issues related to SCC and to contribute to a wider acceptance of SCC in precast, prestressed applications, this study was undertaken to assess the effect of mixture proportioning and material characteristics on the performance of SCC and recommend performance-based specifications for use of SCC in the precast, prestressed applications. The thesis presents an experimental program that contains four parts: (1) a parametric study to evaluate the influence of binder type, w/cm, coarse aggregate type, and coarse aggregate nominal size on the modulus of elasticity and compressive strength developments; (2) a parametric study to evaluate the effect of mixture proportioning and material characteristics on fresh and hardened properties of SCC; (3) a fractional factorial design to identify the relative significance of primary mixture parameters and their coupled effects on SCC properties; and (4) a field validation using full-scale AASHTO Type II girders cast to investigate constructability, material properties, and structural performance (the latter part was carried out by the research team of Professor Denis Mitchell at McGill University). Based on the experimental test results, SCC exhibits similar compressive strength and modulus of elasticity to that of conventional high-performance concrete (HPC) of normal slump consistency. SCC and HPC mixtures made of a given binder type exhibit similar autogenous shrinkage. However, SCC exhibits up to 30% and 20% higher drying shrinkage and creep, respectively, at 300 days compared to HPC made with similar w/cm but different paste volume. The results of the experiment program show that among the investigated material constituents and mix design parameters, the w/cm has the most significant effect on mechanical and visco-elastic properties. The binder content, binder type, and sand-to-total aggregate ratio (S/A) also have considerable effect on those properties. The thickening-type viscosity modifying admixture (VMA) content (0 to 150 ml/100 kg CM) does not significantly affect mechanical and visco-elastic properties. Based on the findings, some mixture parameters regarding the overall performance of SCC designated for precast and prestressed applications can be recommended: SCC made with relatively low w/cm (such as 0.34 vs. 0.40) should be selected to ensure desirable compressive strength, modulus of elasticity (MOE), flexural strength, as well as less drying shrinkage and creep; the use of crushed aggregate with 12.5 mm MSA is suggested since it provides better mechanical properties of SCC compared to gravel; the use of low S/A (such as 0.46 vs. 0.54) to secure adequate mechanical and visco-elastic properties is recommended; the use of thickening-type VMA can help to secure robustness and stability of the concrete in the case of SCC proportioned with moderate and relatively high w/cm; and the use of Type MS cement can lead to lower creep and shrinkage than Type HE cement and 20% Class F fly ash. However, SCC mixtures made with Type HE cement and 20% Class F fly ash can result in better workability and mechanical properties. Therefore, it is recommended to use Type HE cement and 20% Class F fly ash and reduce binder content (such as 440 kg/m[exposant 3] vs. 500 kg/m[exposant 3]) to assure better overall performance of SCC. Validation on full-scale AASHTO-Type II girders using two HPC and two SCC mixtures show that girders casting with SCC can be successfully carried out without segregation and blocking for the selected optimized mixtures. The surface quality of the girders cast with SCC is quite satisfactory and of greater uniformity than girders cast with HPC. Both HPC and SCC mixtures develop similar autogenous shrinkage for mixtures made with similar w/cm. Again, the two evaluated SCC mixtures develop about 20% greater drying shrinkage than comparable HPC mixtures. Modifications of existing models to assess mechanical and visco-elastic properties of SCC used in the precast, prestressed applications are proposed. Based on the comparisons of various code provisions, the ACI 209 and CEB-FIP codes with suggested material coefficients can be recommended to estimate compressive strength. The modified AASHTO 2007 model can be used for predicting the elastic modulus and flexural strength. The AASHTO 2004 and 2007 models with suggested material coefficients can be used to estimate drying shrinkage and creep, respectively. The CEB-FIP 90 code model can be used to predict both drying shrinkage and creep. Finally, the modified Tazawa and Miyazawa 1997 model with material modifications can be used to estimate autogenous shrinkage of SCC.

Résumé : Le climat local, le transport avec l’agitation entre l’endroit de bétonnage et le site de fabrication du béton influencent fortement les propriétés du béton frais et durci. Selon les particularités du béton autoplaçant (BAP), le maintien de l’homogénéité et l’ouvrabilité du BAP avant la mise en place est très important. Les propriétés des BAP sont généralement plus sensibles à la température et au transport par rapport à celles des bétons conventionnels. Une meilleure compréhension de l’effet de la température et de l’agitation sur la performance des BAP est nécessaire pour prévoir les conséquences du changement du climat (température) et de l’effet du transport (temps et vitesse d’agitation), puis pour donner des précautions à suivre afin de répondre à la demande des BAP pour un bon rapport performance-coût. De manière pragmatique, il s’avère nécessaire d’utiliser la méthode du mortier de béton équivalent (MBE) afin d’analyser rapidement les influences de la température et de l’agitation sur les propriétés rhéologiques, calorimétriques et mécaniques des BAP. Cinq températures (8, 15, 22, 29 et 36°C) et deux vitesses d’agitation (6 et 18 tr/min) ont été étudiées sur les MBE. Ensuite, quelques compositions spécifiques (type d’adjuvant et ajout cimentaire) ont choisies afin de vérifier avec des températures compasse entre 8 à 36°C et les agitations différentes (2 et 6 tr/min) sur les BAP destinés aux travaux de bâtiment (BAP-B) sans agent entraîneur d’air et sur des bétons semi-autoplaçant destinés aux travaux d’infrastructures (BSAP-I) avec agent entraîneur d’air. La fluidité initiale des MBE et BAP a été fixée en faisant varier la demande en SP, la température et l’agitation. Les résultats montrent qu’il y a un effet important de la température et de l’agitation sur l’efficacité des adjuvants, la fluidité, la teneur en air, les propriétés rhéologiques, calorimétriques et mécaniques des MBE et des BAP. Pour prévoir la performance de MBE à différentes températures, une équation mathématique est proposée pour déduire la demande en SP, la demande en AEA, le flux maximal et la résistance en compression à 1 jour en fonction des mêmes propriétés sur MBE à 22°C et de la température. Enfin, une corrélation linéaire a été trouvée entre les MBE et les BAP sur ces mêmes propriétés. / Abstract : The local climate, the transport of agitated concrete after manufacturing but before being cast strongly influence the properties of the fresh and hard concrete. It’s important to keep the stability and workability of the self-consolidating concrete (SCC) because of its special characteristics. Compare to the normal concrete, the properties of SCC are generally more sensitive to the temperature and the transport. Therefore it’s necessary to understand the effects of the temperature and the agitation on the performance of the SCC in order to predict the consequences of climate change (temperature) and transport (time and speed of agitation), and then to give the better precautions with a good performance-cost report. In this study, the concrete mortar equivalent (CEM) method is used to quickly analyze the influences of the temperature and the agitation on the rheological, calorimetric and mechanical properties of the SCCs. Five temperatures (8, 15, 22, 29 and 36°C) and two agitation speed (6 and 18 tr/min) are varied in CEMs. And then, some compositions (type of adjuvant and supplementary cementing material) are chosen to be valued with the temperature (8-36°C) and the agitation (2 and 6 tr/min) in SCCs for the building without air-entraining admixture (AEA) and semi-flowable SCC for infrastructure with AEA. The initial slump flow of CEM and SCC is fixed, but the demand superplasticizer, the temperature and the agitation were varied. The results show that there are the effects of temperature and agitation on the effectiveness of admixture, the slump flow, the air content, the rheological, calorimetric and mechanical properties of CEM and SCC. A mathematical equation is proposed to predict the performance of SCC at different temperatures for the SP and AEA requirement, the maximum of heat flow and the compressive strength at one day by these same properties of SCC at 22°C and by the temperature. Finally, a good linear correlation is found between CEM and SCC for these properties.

Master of Science / Department of Civil Engineering / Robert Peterman / A flowable hybrid concrete mix with a spread of 17 to 20 inches was created with a superplasticizer to be used in post-tension haunch-slab (PTHS) bridges where rebar congestion is heaviest. The mix would allow for proper concrete consolidation. A conventional concrete mix with a slump of three to four inches was also created to be placed on top of the hybrid mix. The conventional mix would be used to create a sloping surface on the top of the concrete. The two mixes could be combined in the PTHS bridge deck and act as one monolithic specimen. Standard concrete tests such as compressive strength, tensile strength, modulus of elasticity, permeability, freeze/thaw resistance, and coefficient of thermal expansion were determined for the mixes and compared. Core blocks were cast using both mixes and composite cores were drilled. The cores were tested and their composite split-tensile strengths were compared to the split-tensile strengths of cylinders made from the respective mixes. A third concrete mix was made by increasing the superplasticizer dosage in the hybrid concrete mix to create a self-consolidating concrete (SCC) mix with a 24-inch spread. The SCC mix was created as a worst-case scenario and used in the determination of shear friction. Eighty-four push-off shear friction specimens were cast using the SCC mix. Joint conditions for the specimens included uncracked, pre-cracked, and cold-joints. Uncracked and pre-cracked specimens used both epoxy- and non-epoxy-coated shear stirrups. Cold-joint specimens used both the SCC mix and the conventional concrete mix. Joint-conditions of the cold-joint specimens included a one-hour cast time, a seven-day joint with a clean shear interface, and a seven-day joint with an oiled shear interface. The shear friction specimens were tested using a pure shear method and their results were compared to the current American Concrete Institute code equation.

Concrete is a very weak and brittle material in tension. It has been shown in previous researches that the addition of steel fibers to a concrete matrix can improve this behavior. The ability of fibers to control and redistribute stresses after cracking results in a number of improvements in the structural behaviour of concrete. A review of existing literature shows that the addition of steel fibers enhances concrete’s tensile resistance, crack control properties, ductility and damage tolerance. In beams, fibers can transform brittle shear response into a flexural response and promote ductility, thereby allowing for a full or partial replacement of traditional shear reinforcement. The enhanced shear capacity, ductility and damage tolerance of Steel Fiber Reinforced Concrete (SFRC) can also potentially be used to relax seismic detailing requirements in frames by partially replacing the required transverse reinforcement in the plastic hinge regions of RC beams. One of the drawbacks associated with SFRC is that the addition of steel fibers to a traditional concrete mix at high fiber contents can result in workability problems. The combined use of Self-Consolidating Concrete (SCC) and fibers can solve this problem and facilitate placement for a wider range of structural applications. Although several studies have been conducted on the behaviour of SFRC beams subjected to monotonic loading, there is limited research on the behaviour of SFRC beams under cyclic or reverse-cyclic loading. This thesis presents the results of an experimental and analytical study conducted on nine SFRC beam specimens tested under load reversals. The main objective of this research program was to investigate the effect of fibers on structural behaviour and to examine the ability of steel fibers to replace transverse reinforcement. The experimental and analytical results show that use of fibers results in several improvements in behaviour, including enhanced damage tolerance and post-peak ductility. The results also show that steel fibers can potentially be used to allow for a reduction of transverse reinforcement in beams, however further research is required.

Self-consolidating concrete (SCC) is a new, innovative construction material that can be placed into forms without the need for mechanical vibration. The mixture proportions are critical for producing quality SCC and require an optimized combination of coarse and fine aggregates, cement, water, and chemical and mineral admixtures. The required mixture constituents and proportions may affect the mechanical properties, bond characteristics, and long-term behavior, and SCC may not provide the same inservice performance as conventional concrete (CC). Different SCC mixture constituents and proportions were evaluated for mechanical properties, shear characteristics, bond characteristics, creep, and durability. Variables evaluated included mixture type (CC or SCC), coarse aggregate type (river gravel or limestone), and coarse aggregate volume. To correlate these results with full-scale samples and investigate structural behavior related to strand bond properties, four girder-deck systems, 40 ft (12 m) long, with CC and SCC pretensioned girders were fabricated and tested. Results from the research indicate that the American Association of State Highway Transportation Officials Load and Resistance Factor Design (AASHTO LRFD) Specifications can be used to estimate the mechanical properties of SCC for a concrete compressive strength range of 5 to 10 ksi (34 to 70 MPa). In addition, the research team developed prediction equations for concrete compressive strength ranges from 5 to 16 ksi (34 to 110 MPa). With respect to shear characteristics, a more appropriate expression is proposed to estimate the concrete shear strength for CC and SCC girders with a compressive strength greater than 10 ksi (70 MPa). The author found that girder-deck systems with Type A SCC girders exhibit similar flexural performance as deck-systems with CC girders. The AASHTO LRFD (2006) equations for computing the cracking moment, nominal moment, transfer length, development length, and prestress losses may be used for SCC girder-deck systems similar to those tested in this study. For environments exhibiting freeze-thaw cycles, a minimum 16-hour release strength of 7 ksi (48 MPa) is recommended for SCC mixtures.

Concrete is a very weak and brittle material in tension. It has been shown in previous researches that the addition of steel fibers to a concrete matrix can improve this behavior. The ability of fibers to control and redistribute stresses after cracking results in a number of improvements in the structural behaviour of concrete. A review of existing literature shows that the addition of steel fibers enhances concrete’s tensile resistance, crack control properties, ductility and damage tolerance. In beams, fibers can transform brittle shear response into a flexural response and promote ductility, thereby allowing for a full or partial replacement of traditional shear reinforcement. The enhanced shear capacity, ductility and damage tolerance of Steel Fiber Reinforced Concrete (SFRC) can also potentially be used to relax seismic detailing requirements in frames by partially replacing the required transverse reinforcement in the plastic hinge regions of RC beams. One of the drawbacks associated with SFRC is that the addition of steel fibers to a traditional concrete mix at high fiber contents can result in workability problems. The combined use of Self-Consolidating Concrete (SCC) and fibers can solve this problem and facilitate placement for a wider range of structural applications. Although several studies have been conducted on the behaviour of SFRC beams subjected to monotonic loading, there is limited research on the behaviour of SFRC beams under cyclic or reverse-cyclic loading. This thesis presents the results of an experimental and analytical study conducted on nine SFRC beam specimens tested under load reversals. The main objective of this research program was to investigate the effect of fibers on structural behaviour and to examine the ability of steel fibers to replace transverse reinforcement. The experimental and analytical results show that use of fibers results in several improvements in behaviour, including enhanced damage tolerance and post-peak ductility. The results also show that steel fibers can potentially be used to allow for a reduction of transverse reinforcement in beams, however further research is required.