Thesis (MScEng)-- Stellenbosch University, 2013. / ENGLISH ABSTRACT: Macro synthetic fibre reinforced concrete (SynFRC) is a relatively new concrete for the purpose of being used in structural elements which only require minimum reinforcement and are supported continuously by sub-layers. One structural element that is of particular interest is slabs-on-grade which is supported by a subgrade/sub-base and requires minimum reinforcement to control the shrinkage strains which may result in cracking. The aim of this project is to investigate the potential use of macro SynFRC in the application of controlling drying shrinkage cracking (DSC) in concrete slabs-on-grade. The focus is on the use of concrete slabs-on-grade that is intended for industrial floors. The SynFRC material parameters of interest were characterised first with the aid of various experimental tests. These are: flexural tests, compression tests, friction tests between the SynFRC and wooden surfaces used for full scale testing, and the shrinkage of the concrete. Next the post-cracking tensile behaviour of the SynFRC was determined by way of an inverse analysis. These tensile responses were subsequently used to perform a series of different finite element analyses. These analyses were performed on specific slabs-on-grade to determine the effects of the added tensile behaviour of the SynFRC on the DSC. The results obtained concerned: the spacing of cracks, the maximum and average crack width, and the difference in crack width between the normal concrete (NC) and the SynFRC. These changes take place in accordance to the concrete age. From the analyses it was determined that the addition of fibres gives the concrete a ductility that allows the concrete to crack more than NC, yet does not allow the cracks to propagate. This applies to low fibre contents of less than 0.4% by volume and a slab thickness of 200mm, as well as to fibre contents that have Re,3 values of 0.51 and higher. Moreover, it results in improvements seen when adding fibres if the friction is sticky, meaning when the maximum friction between the slab and the subgrade is reached with a very small amount of movement. With a stickier friction though smaller crack widths occur within both the NC and the SynFRC. / AFRIKAANSE OPSOMMING: Makro sintetiese vesel versterkte beton (SynFRC) is 'n relatiewe nuwe beton. Dit het ten doel om gebruik te word in strukturele elemente wat minimale versterking benodig en wat deurlopend deur sublae ondersteun word. Een spesifieke strukturele element van belang is grondvloere wat deur 'n sublaag ondersteun word en wat minimale ondersteuning benodig om die krimping vervorming te beheer wat moontlike krake kan veroorsaak. Die doel van die projek was om die potensiële gebruik van makro sintetiese vesels te ondersoek tydens die beheer van die uitdroog krimp kraking van 'n beton grondvloer. Die fokus was op die gebruik van betonvloere vir fabrieksdoeleindes. Die eienskappe van SynFRC materiale is vooraf vasgestel vir die doel van verskeie eksperimentele toetse. Hierdie toetse sluit in buigbaarheidstoetse, druktoetse, krimping van beton en toets van wrywing tussen die SynFRC en hout oppervlaktes wat gebruik is vir volskaalse toets. Die trek gedrag van SynFRC na kraking is vasgestel deur inverse analise. Hierdie trek gedrag is dan gebruik om 'n reeks eindige element analises uit te voer. Hierdie analises is uitgevoer op spesifieke grondvloere om die effek te bepaal van verhoogde trek gedrag van SynFRC op die uitdroog krimp kraking. Volgens die uitslae sodoende verkry was die kraakspasiëring, die maksimum en gemiddelde kraakwydte en die verskil in die kraakwydte tussen normale beton en die SynFRC as ‘n funksie van beton oudedom. Vanuit die analises het dit duidelik geblyk dat die byvoeging van vesels die beton se smeebaarheid verhoog het en dit het tot gevolg gehad dat die beton meer krake vorm, maar dat die krake nie vergroot nie. Dit is waargeneem by 'n lae vesel inhoud van minder as 0.4% per volume en 'n betonblad met 'n dikte van 200mm. Dit is ook waargeneem by 'n hoër vesel volume wat Re,3 waardes van 0.51 en hoër het. Kleiner kraakwydte is waargeneem waar vesel volume verhoog is indien die wrywing hoër is, bedoelende dat die maksimum wrywing tussen die betonblad en die sublaag bereik is met baie min beweging. Daar het wel kleiner kraakwydtes in beide die normale beton en die SynFRC voorgekom waar daar hoër wrywing was.

Lors de leur construction, les structures massives (ex. les enceintes de confinement des centrales nucléaires) sont soumises à des déformations dues à l’hydratation du béton. En effet, d’une part la réaction chimique du ciment avec l’eau est exothermique et thermo activée, ce qui induit des déformations de dilatation puis de contraction. D’autre part une dépression capillaire étant créée par la consommation d’eau due à l’hydratation du ciment, des déformations de contraction se produisent. Lorsqu’elles sont empêchées par la partie de la structure déjà construite, ces déformations volumiques induisent des contraintes de compression puis de traction pouvant causer une fissuration traversante augmentant alors sensiblement la perméabilité du béton. Mon travail de thèse a consisté à caractériser le comportement au jeune âge du matériau que l’on utilise (basé sur la formulation utilisée lors de la construction d’une enceinte) puis à mettre au point un essai permettant d’étudier la fissuration d’une éprouvette de béton soumise à des déformations empêchées lors de son durcissement. Ce nouvel essai est en fait une évolution de l’essai à l’anneau de retrait gêné permettant de prendre également en compte les déformations d’origine thermique. Les essais de caractérisation concernent essentiellement, d’un point de vue macroscopique, le retrait (endogène et thermique), le fluage (propre et thermique transitoire) et l’évolution des caractéristiques mécaniques (résistance à la compression, à la traction et module d’élasticité). La campagne d’essais réalisée avec ce nouveau dispositif, appelé essai à l’anneau thermique actif, et l’analyse numérique de ces essais par des simulations aux éléments finis (basées sur un modèle viscoélastique endommageable introduisant un couplage entre le fluage et l’endommagement) a permis d’évaluer ce couplage, d’identifier la diminution de résistance en traction due à une reprise de bétonnage et de quantifier l’effet des armatures sur le comportement du béton. Des mesures de transfert d’air sec à travers une éprouvette fissurée ont également été réalisées sur ce dispositif. Finalement, des simulations numériques d’ouvrages massifs ont mis en exergue l’influence des conditions de restriction du retrait sur le faciès d’endommagement et l’influence du couplage fluage fissuration sur le calcul des ouvertures de fissures. / At early-age, massive concrete structures (ex. nuclear power plant) are submitted to strains due to the hydration reaction. If they are restrained, crossing cracks can occurs. This cracking may increase significantly the concrete wall permeability. The objectives of this work was to characterize the early age concrete behavior (thermal and endogenous shrinkage, basic and thermal transient creep, mechanical characteristic evolution) as well as develop a new device to study the early age cracking of a concrete structure submitted to restrained shrinkage.The experimental campaign achieved with this new device (called thermal active ring test) and the numerical analysis of the test thanks to finite element simulations allows us to evaluate the coupling betwwen creep and damage, to identify the tensile strength decrease due to construction joints and to quantify the effect of reinforcement on the concrete behaviour. Moreover, with this device, permeability measurements have been performed on a cracked specimen. Finally, numerical simulations of massive structures highlight the influence of boundary conditions for restrained shrinkage and the influence of the coupling between creep and damage on the damage pattern.

Highway drainage pipes utilize concrete reinforced with steel wire to help mitigate water, earth, and traffic loads. Drainage pipes reinforced with zinc electroplated steel fibers offer a lower steel alternative to traditional steel wire cage reinforcements. The objective of the thesis research was to determine the physical and electrochemical characteristics of zinc electroplated steel fiber corrosion propagation. Experimental programs include: Fracture analysis of zinc electroplated steel fibers embedded in dry-cast concrete pipes exposed to varying chloride concentrations; Visual analysis of zinc electroplated steel fibers embedded in concrete exposed to varying chloride concentrations; Electrochemical analysis of zinc electroplated steel fibers embedded in concrete exposed to varying chlorides; Chloride threshold determination for zinc electroplated steel fibers immersed in simulated pore solution. Between the four experimental programs the most significant conclusion is that oxygen, moisture, and chlorides past the chloride threshold must be present for corrosion to propagate significantly on the zinc electroplated steel fibers. / Includes bibliography. / Thesis (M.S.)--Florida Atlantic University, 2016. / FAU Electronic Theses and Dissertations Collection

This research develops two novel experimental techniques based on nonlinear acoustics/ultrasound to provide an ultra-accelerated characterization of alkali-reactivity of aggregates. Alkali-silica reaction (ASR) is a deleterious reaction occurring between reactive siliceous minerals present in some aggregates and alkalis mainly contributed by the cement, but also present in some deicing chemicals. With increasing reports of ASR-induced damage in transportation structures, there is a critical need for fast and reliable test methods for the screening of aggregates and aggregate/paste combinations. Currently, the accelerated mortar bar test (AMBT), which measures expansion, is the most commonly used test method. Also used is the concrete prism test (CPT), another expansion-based method, which requires at least one year testing time, limiting the practical utility of this method. In addition, petrographic analysis can be performed to identify potentially reactive minerals in aggregates but requires training and may not be appropriate for assessment of aggregate/paste combinations. Finally, linear acoustic methods such as wave speed and attenuation measurements can be used for the assessment of ASR, but the sensitivity of linear acoustic methods to ASR-induced damage is considered to be relatively low. Therefore, critical limitations exist in the existing test methods. In light of recent advances in nonlinear acoustics (which are more sensitive to small-scale damage than linear acoustics), the purpose of this research is the development and assessment of an accelerated method for evaluating the potential for alkali reactivity in aggregate and aggregate/paste combinations by combining advanced ultrasonic methods with standard test procedures. In fact, two nonlinear acoustic methods are developed under this research - nonlinear wave modulation spectroscopy (NWMS) and nonlinear impact resonance acoustic spectroscopy (NIRAS) - and are used to characterize the changes in material nonlinearity as a result of the progressive ASR damage during the standard mortar bar and concrete prism testing. Following the AMBT and CPT, nonlinear acoustic techniques are applied to both mortar bars and concrete prism samples. Nonlinearity parameters are defined as the indicator of growing ASR damage, and measurement results clearly show that these nonlinearity parameters are more sensitive to the ASR damage than the linear parameters used in the linear acoustic measurements, particularly at early ages. Different aggregates with varying alkali-reactivity are effectively distinguished with the proposed experimental techniques in a timely manner, particularly for those aggregates with similar levels of reactivity, as determined by AMBT. The effect of a Class C fly ash addition on nonlinear properties was also investigated using the NIRAS measurements through a comparison of test results between mortar samples blended with fly ash and without fly ash. As complementary supports of the experimental results, petrographic analyses and theoretical modeling are also performed, and these results are well correlated with results from the NWMS and NIRAS techniques. Through a comparison with results from accompanying expansion measurements and linear acoustic methods, the proposed nonlinear acoustic techniques show their advantages to accelerate the assessment of alkali-reactivity of aggregates. Under AMBT, reactive aggregates were identifiable as early as a few days of testing. With CPT, reactive aggregates were differentiated as early as a few weeks. Overall, the coupling of the developed nonlinear test methods with standard expansion tests suggests that test durations could be potentially reduced by half, especially for AMBT tests.

Compared to the knowledge base for ordinary portland cement concrete (OPCC), relatively little information exists for calcium aluminate cement concrete (CACC), despite its existence for over 100 years. There is particularly a lack of knowledge related to early-age behavior of CACC, specifically volume change and cracking potential. To assess these early-age properties, two unique pieces of equipment were developed and employed: a rigid cracking frame and free deformation frame which enabled quantification of restrained stress generation and unrestrained autogenous deformation, respectively. These two pieces of equipment employed active temperature control and allowed a wide range of isothermal and realistic temperature conditions to be imposed upon hydrating cementitious samples. Match-cured samples (i.e. identical temperature curing to that in the frames) enabled the quantification of mechanical property development. Samples cured at discrete isothermal temperatures up to 30 °C developed tensile forces in the rigid cracking frame and exhibited shrinkage phenomena in the free deformation frame. At temperatures above 30 °C, the converse was true and significant compressive forces developed in restrained testing and expansion was observed in unrestrained testing. It was found that this was a direct result of microstructural development related to the formation of metastable phases (associated with shrinkage) and stable phases (expansion as a result of conversion from metastable to stable phases). Proper use of this material must take into account behavior associated with both types of hydrate assemblages, metastable and stable. Realistic time-temperature histories were also investigated based on field-scale concrete cast as part of this research project. It was found that volume change at earlyage was dominantly controlled by thermal history. Furthermore, it was not simply the maximum temperature reached, but the rate of temperature rise during hydration and the resulting duration of time spent at high temperature that profoundly influenced volume change and property development. The research described in this dissertation represents a significant advancement of the state-of-knowledge of this unique material and has further elucidated the role of temperature during hydration of CACC. / text

De nos jours, le béton est le matériau de construction le plus utilisé dans le monde en raison de ses performances mécaniques, sa facilité de mise en oeuvre, son coût compétitif et sa « recyclabilité ». Toutefois, compte tenu de son caractère fragile en terme mécanique et de sa faible résistance à la traction, il est souvent renforcé par des armatures métalliques qui lui confèrent une bonne ténacité et une meilleure aptitude à supporter les efforts de traction. Ce composite béton-armature ne peut cependant assurer efficacement son rôle que si les deux composants sont étroitement liés l’un à l’autre. C’est donc dans la qualité de l’adhérence que réside l’efficacité du transfert des efforts entre les deux matériaux. Or, dès la mise en place des ouvrages en béton armé et pendant toute la durée de leur exploitation, différentes actions et agents agresseurs peuvent modifier la qualité de cette adhérence. Il peut s’agir de phénomènes naturels comme le gel/dégel et l’action du dioxyde de carbone atmosphérique, ou des sollicitations accidentelles comme l’incendie ou encore l’action de certains agents spécifiques comme les chlorures et les sulfates. Notre objectif dans cette thèse est de qualifier les modifications d’adhérence qui résultent de quatre types de sollicitations couramment rencontrées dans la vie des ouvrages en béton armé: l’effet des températures élevées, l’effet de la carbonatation, l’effet des cycles gel/dégel, l’effet de la corrosion. Nous évaluons la qualité de l’adhérence par la mesure de la résistance à l’arrachement et par l’analyse du comportement résiduel sous sollicitation mécanique. La technique d’émission acoustique est utilisée pour localiser en temps réel, l’endommagement du matériau sous sollicitation. Les applications de notre étude concernent non seulement les armatures et inserts classiques du béton armé mais aussi les nombreux dispositifs constructifs des structures mixtes acier – béton qui utilisent les liaisons par goujons pour relier les deux matériaux. / Nowadays, concrete is the most used construction material in the world because of its mechanical performances, its ability to be molded or cast, its competitive cost and its recyclability. However, concrete has a low ductility and a relatively low tensile strength compared to other construction materials. Therefore, concrete is often reinforced by steel rebars to improve the ductility and tensile strength. Nevertheless, to make reinforced concrete being highly efficient material, the two components need to be correctly bonded each to other. The bond quality the efficiency of the force transfer between rebar and concrete surrounding ensures. In fact, since the casting of concrete and during the service life of reinforced concrete structure, various actions such corrosion action, freeze/thaw attack and chemical attack etc. may affect the bond quality. The objective of this PhD research work is to qualify the changes of adhesion property causing by four types of action which frequently takes place in the service life of reinforced concrete structures: the effect of high temperatures, the effect of carbonation, the effect of cycles freeze/thaw, the effect of corrosion. The concrete-rebar bond quality is evaluated by doing pull-out tests under static mechanical action and measuring the bond strength and analyzing residual behaviour. Moreover, the acoustic emission technique is used to locate the cracks and evaluate the cracking evolution in real time. The founding of this study can be also extended to apply to other concrete-steel structures like composite structures in which headed studs are used to connect steel profiles to concrete.

Please read the abstract in the section 00front of this document / Dissertation (M Eng (Structural Engineering))--University of Pretoria, 2006. / Civil Engineering / unrestricted

Plastic shrinkage cracks, although not inherently structurally debilitating, expose the reinforcement in low-volume reinforced concrete roads to deleterious substances, which may reduce its effectiveness leading ultimately to structural failure. In un-reinforced low-volume concrete road these cracks appear unsightly and cause the road user an unpleasant riding experience. Many researchers believe that plastic shrinkage crack development remains a concern to the concrete industry, occurring in particularly large–area pours such as low-volume concrete roads, and therefore requires further research to understand their formation and minimization. This study reports findings on the effectiveness of oxyfluorinated polypropylene fibres to control plastic shrinkage cracks, and the effect the addition of ultra-fine material has on the formation and/or propagation of these cracks. Findings indicate that low volume dosages (2 kg/m³), of oxyfluorinated polypropylene fibre significantly reduced the formation of plastic shrinkage cracks under test conditions. Furthermore, that the addition of ultra-fine material in excess of 63 kg/m³ increased the formation and/or development of plastic shrinkage cracks.

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