[pt] O concreto de ultra alto desempenho (UHPC) reforçado com fibras é um material que foi desenvolvido nas últimas décadas para atender à necessidade de estruturas modernas por um material mais resistente e durável. Suas características altamente não lineares tanto na tração quanto na compressão levam a um comportamento complexo. Além disso, a distribuição não homogênea das fibras e a alta resistência à tração, quando comparada ao concreto convencional, resultam em menor ductilidade para vigas de UHPC. A análise de elementos finitos mostra ser uma ferramenta adequada para representar a resposta de elementos estruturais de UHPC, mas a calibragem do modelo deve ser aplicada corretamente e técnicas de modelagem coerentes devem ser usadas para representar corretamente os tramos pós-pico de curvas força-deslocamento para vigas de UHPC submetidas a testes de flexão de quatro pontos. Foi realizada uma extensa caracterização do material tanto em tração quanto em compressão. Testes axiais monotônicos foram conduzidos para obter curvas tensão-deformação na compressão e tensão-abertura de fissura na tração. Testes cíclicos foram realizados para determinar a evolução do dano experimental em compressão e na tração. Esses dados serviram como referência para calibrar modelos uniaxiais e modelos de evolução de dano de acordo com expressões analíticas disponíveis na literatura. Modelos heterogêneos simulando a dispersão do material nas propriedades mecânicas do UHPC ao longo do volume das vigas foram utilizados para obter uma seção transversal que apresentasse resistência otimizada, mantendo a ductilidade desejada. Finalmente, cinco vigas foram testadas, com diferentes formas e porcentagens de reforço, e estratégias de modelagem foram comparadas aos dados experimentais das vigas. / [en] Ultra-high performance concrete is a material which has been developed in the last decades to fulfill modern structures need for a more resistant and durable material. Its highly nonlinear characteristics in both tension and compression leads to a complex behavior. In addition to that, the inhomogeneous distribution of the fibers and the high tensile strength when compared to conventional concrete result in reduced ductility for UHPC beams. Finite element analysis is shown to be an adequate tool to represent UHPC structural element s response but the model calibration must be correctly applied and coherent modeling techniques must be used to correctly model the post-peak branches of load-displacement curves for UHPC beams subjected to four-point load bending tests. An extensive material characterization in both tension and compression was conducted. Monotonic axial tests were conducted to obtain stress-strain curves in compression and stress-crack opening in tension and cyclic tests were made to determine the experimental damage evolution in compression and in tension. These data served as input to calibrate uniaxial models and damage evolution models according to analytical expressions available in the literature. Heterogeneous models simulating the material dispersion of the mechanical properties of the UHPC over structural beams were used to obtain a cross-section that presented optimized resistance while maintaining target ductility. Finally, five beams were tested, with different shapes and reinforcement ratios and the modeling strategies were benchmarked to the beams experimental data.

High performance concrete (HPC) provides a long lasting, durable concrete that is typically used in bridge decks due to its low permeability, high abrasion resistance, freeze-thaw resistance and strength. However, this type of concrete is highly susceptible to the deleterious effects of both autogenous and drying shrinkage. Both types of shrinkage occur when water leaves small pores , (< 50 nm) in the paste matrix to aid in hydration or is lost to the surrounding environment. Autogenous deformation (self-desiccation) occurs as the internal relative humidity decreases due to hydration of the cementitious material. Drying (and subsequent shrinkage) occurs when water is lost to the environment and continues until the internal relative humidity is equivalent to the ambient relative humidity. Typically, the magnitude of autogenous shrinkage is less than that of drying shrinkage. These two types of shrinkage do not act independently, and the total shrinkage is the aggregation of the two shrinkage mechanisms. It is imperative to minimize the amount of shrinkage in restrained members, such as bridge decks, to reduce the cracking potential. Various methods have been researched to minimize both types of shrinkage. Two methods to that have been reported to reduce shrinkage were selected for further research; internal curing using pre-soaked lightweight fine aggregate (LWFA) and shrinkage reducing admixtures (SRAs). The purpose of this study was to determine the long-term drying shrinkage performance of these two methods while reducing the external curing duration of 14 days for new bridge deck construction as specified by the Oregon Department of Transportation. In addition to monitoring drying shrinkage, durability testing was performed on concrete specimens to ensure these shrinkage mitigation methods performed at levels similar to concrete with the current mixture design. Freeze-thaw testing, permeability testing and restrained drying shrinkage testing were conducted. It was concluded that the combination of SRAs and pre-soaked LWFA was the most effective method to reduce longterm drying shrinkage for all curing durations (1, 7, and 14 day). Additionally, for durability testing, it was found that the use of SRAs performed the best in freeze-thaw testing, chloride permeability and restrained shrinkage. / Graduation date: 2012

For members and flat slabs without shear reinforcement, the shear and punching shear strength are often the determining design criteria. These failure modes are characterized by a fragile behaviour implying possible partial or total collapse of the structure. Despite extensive research in this field, shear and punching shear in reinforced and prestressed concrete structures, remain complex phenomena so much that the current approach is often empirical or simplified. The ability of Steel Fibre Reinforced Concrete (SFRC) to reduce shear reinforcement in reinforced and prestressed concrete members and slabs,or even eliminate it, is supported by several experimental studies. However its practical application remains marginal mainly due to the lack of standard, procedures and rules adapted to its performance. The stationary processes in precast industry offer optimal possibilities for using high performance cementitious materials such as Self Compacting Concrete (SCC) and High Strength Concrete (HSC). For the author, the combination of High Performance Concrete and steel fibres is the following step in the development and the optimization of this industry. The High Performance Fibre Reinforced Concrete (HPFRC) stands between conventional SFRC and Ultra-High Performance Fibre Reinforced Concrete (UHPFRC). The HPFRC exhibiting a good strength/cost ratio is, thus, an alternative of UHPFRC for precast elements. The principal aim of this work was to analyse the shear and punching shear behaviour of HPFRC and UHPFRC structures without transversal reinforcement and to propose recommendations and design models adapted for practitioners. Several experimental studies on structural elements, i.e. beams and slabs, were undertaken for this purpose. Firstly, an original experimental campaign was performed on pre-tensioned members in HPFRC. A total number of six shear-critical beams of a 3.6 m span each, and two full scale beams of a 12 m span each, were tested in order to evaluate the shear and flexural strength. The principal parameter between the specimens was the fibres (...)

It is important to ensure that vulnerable structures (federal and provincial offices, military structures, embassies, etc) are blast resistant to safeguard life and critical infrastructure. In the wake of recent malicious attacks and accidental explosions, it is becoming increasingly important to ensure that columns in structures are properly detailed to provide the ductility and continuity necessary to prevent progressive collapse. Research has shown that steel fibre reinforced concrete (SFRC) can enhance many of the properties of concrete, including improved post-cracking tensile capacity, enhanced shear resistance, and increased ductility. The enhanced properties of SFRC make it an ideal candidate for use in the blast resistant design of structures. There is limited research on the behaviour of SFRC under high strain rates, including impact and blast loading, and some of this data is conflicting, with some researchers showing that the additional ductility normally evident in SFRC is absent or reduced at high strain loading. On the other hand, other data indicates that SFRC can improve toughness and energy-absorption capacity under extreme loading conditions. This thesis presents the results of experimental research involving tests of scaled reinforced concrete columns exposed to shock wave induced impulsive loads using the University of Ottawa Shock Tube. A total of 13 half-scale steel fibre reinforced concrete columns, 8 with normal strength steel fibre reinforced concrete (SFRC) and 5 with an ultra high performance fibre reinforced concrete (UHPFRC), were constructed and tested under simulated blast pressures. The columns were designed according to CSA A23.3 standards for both seismic and non-seismic regions, using various fibre amounts and types. Each column was exposed to similar shock wave loads in order to provide direct comparisons between seismic and non-seismically detailed columns, amount of steel fibres, type of steel fibres, and type of concrete. The dynamic response of the columns tested in the experimental program is predicted by generating dynamic load-deformation resistance functions for SFRC and UHPFRC columns and using single degree of freedom dynamic analysis software, RCBlast. The analytical results are compared to experimental data, and shown to accurately predict the maximum mid-span displacements of the fibre reinforced concrete columns under shock wave loading.

In the course of revitalizing the Poseidon Building in Frankfurt, an energetically optimized façade, made of architectural concrete was developed. The development of a fiber-reinforced architectural concrete had to consider the necessary mechanical strength, design technology and surface quality. The fiber-reinforced architectural concrete has a compressive strength of 104.1 MPa and a 3-point bending tensile strength of 19.5 MPa. Beyond that, it was ensured that the fiber-reinforced high-performance concrete had a high durability, which has been shown by the capillary suction of de-icing solution and freeze thaw test with a weathering of abrasion of 113 g/m² after 28 freeze-thaw cycles and a mean water penetration depth of 11 mm.

Thin-walled, high-strength concrete elements exhibiting low system weight and great slenderness can be created with a large degree of lightweight structure using the textile-reinforced, load-bearing concrete (TRC) slab and a shell with a very high level of sound absorption. This was developed with the objective of lowering system weight, and then implemented operationally in construction. Arising from the specifications placed on the load-bearing concrete slab, the following took place: an adapted fine-grain concrete matrix was assembled, a carbon warp-knit fabric was modified and integrated into the fine concrete matrix, a formwork system at prototype scale was designed enabling noise barriers to be produced with an application-oriented approach and examined in practically investigations within the context of the project. This meant that a substantial lowering of the load-bearing concrete slab’s system weight was possible, which led to a decrease in transport and assembly costs.

O objetivo de colaborar com o equacionamento da problemática do crescimento populacional por meio de uma proposta viável economicamente, e com vantagens tecnológicas com vistas à durabilidade para a armazenagem de gêneros alimentícios em baixas temperaturas motivou o desenvolvimento desta pesquisa, na qual se propõe o uso do concreto como material alternativo para a construção de sistemas de guarda e conservação de alimentos. A partir de um adequado método de dosagem e da tecnologia desenvolvida pelo grupo de pesquisadores do Laboratório de Materiais Avançados à Base de Cimento, foram elaborados dois concretos diferenciados pela incorporação ou não de ar. A durabilidade do concreto para ambientes com baixas temperaturas tem sido relacionada a um sistema de vazios de ar com volume de 6 '+ OU -' 1 % e adequado espaçamento entre as bolhas de ar. O desempenho desses concretos em ambientes com baixas temperaturas foi avaliado acondicionando-os em uma câmara fria com temperatura de - 35 ± 2 graus Celsius. A sanidade dos corpos-de-prova foi monitorada por meio de ensaios não destrutivos (i.e. determinação da freqüência natural). O período de exposição foi de trinta e cinco dias, sendo que após o sétimo dia ocorreu a estabilização dos valores da freqüência natural dos corpos-de-prova. Os dois tipos de concretos ensaiados - com ar incorporado e sem ar incorporado - mostraram-se resistentes nestas condições de ensaio. Os resultados obtidos demonstram que os concretos, de acordo com o método utilizado, atendem a todos os requisitos para os quais foram projetados / The aim to collaborate with the set out of the world population increase problem, using a feasible and economical proposal, with technology advantages, destined to store foodstuff in low temperatures, motivated the development of this research, that suggests concrete as an alternative material to storage and conservation foodstuff system construction. Starting from the concrete design with an adequate method, and based on the technology developed by worker group of Laboratory of Advanced Cement Based Materials, were designed two kinds of concrete: with and without incorporated air. The durability of concrete in low temperatures environment were related to air voids system with 6 '+ OU -' 1% of air content, and to adequate spacing between air voids. The concrete behaviour in low temperatures environment was evaluated placing the specimens in a cold chamber, whose temperatures were about -35 '+ OU -' 2 Celsius degrees. The integrity of the specimens was evaluated by non-destructive method (determination of natural frequency). The exposure period of the specimens was thirty five days, but at seventh day the natural frequencies values were stabilized. Both kind of concrete were resistant in this condition. The obtained results show that concretes, in conformity to the used methodology, performed all requirement for that were designed

Atualmente, um dos principais problemas ligados às estruturas de concreto armado é a corrosão da armadura, especialmente devido à ação dos íons cloreto. Sua incidência no contexto das principais manifestações patológicas encontradas nas construções é bastante significativa, chegando a atingir índices de 50% em algumas regiões brasileiras. Além disso, o custo do reparo ou da reabilitação das estruturas deterioradas, em alguns casos, pode ser superior ao de uma estrutura nova. Com o objetivo de aumentar a vida útil das estruturas de concreto e diminuir o índice de ocorrência da corrosão de armaduras, esta pesquisa verifica o comportamento de concretos com adições minerais quanto à eficiência na proteção do aço contra a corrosão induzida por íons cloreto, em relação ao concreto sem adição. Para a produção dos concretos de alto desempenho (CAD), foram utilizados dois tipos de adições: a sílica de Fe-Si ou silício metálico (SFS), já comercialmente disponível, e a sílica extraída da casca de arroz (SCA), produzida em laboratório. Assim, além de proporcionar uma barreira física à entrada de agentes agressivos na camada de cobrimento, a utilização desses concretos contribui para a diminuição da poluição ambiental, uma vez que as adições estudadas são resíduos. Para tanto, foram realizados ensaios mecânicos e relacionados à durabilidade, tais como: absorção de água, resistência à penetração de cloretos, frente de penetração, teor total de cloretos e resistividade elétrica dos concretos. Na análise do processo de corrosão, duas técnicas foram empregadas: potencial de corrosão e espectroscopia por impedância eletroquímica. Em relação à microestrutura, foram realizados ensaios de porosimetria por intrusão de mercúrio, difratometria de raios X, termogravimetria e microscopia eletrônica de varredura. Os resultados obtidos no controle da corrosão pelo ataque de íons cloreto foram favoráveis ao uso das adições em substituição ao cimento Portland, uma vez que os concretos com adições superam os resultados obtidos nos concretos sem sílica (ainda que a SFS tenha proporcionado melhor desempenho em algumas propriedades), indicando alta capacidade dos CAD em proteger o aço frente à ação de íons cloreto. Dentre os tipos de cimento utilizados, o CP V ARI RS mostrou-se mais eficiente que o CP V ARI Plus, bem como apresentou melhor sinergia com a SCA. A técnica de espectroscopia eletroquímica pode ser utilizada em CAD, porém deve-se minimizar os efeitos da alta resistividade do material, especialmente quando se utiliza a SFS. / Nowadays, one of the main problems in reinforced concrete structures is steel corrosion, especially due to the action of chloride ions. Its incidence among the main pathologies is quite significant, reaching indexes of 50% in some Brazilian areas. Besides, the cost of repair or rehabilitation of deteriorated structures, in some cases, can be higher than a new structure. To increase the service life of concrete structures and reduce the occurrence of steel corrosion, this work verifies the behavior of concretes with mineral additions in protecting the steel against the corrosion induced by chloride ions, in comparison to concretes without addition. For the production of high performance concretes (HPC), two addition types were used: silica fume (SF), already commercially available, and silica extracted from rice husk (SRH), produced in laboratory. Thus, besides providing a physical barrier to the aggressive agents in the concrete cover, the use of such concretes contribute to decrease the environmental pollution, since the additions studied are residues. Mechanical and durability tests were accomplished, such as water absorption, chloride penetration resistance, chloride penetration depth and concentration and electric resistivity of concretes. In the analysis of corrosion process, two techniques were used: open circuit potential and electrochemical impedance spectroscopy. Regarding the microstructure, tests of mercury intrusion porosimetry, X-ray diffraction, termogravimetry and scanning electron microscopy were conducted. The results obtained in the control of steel corrosion by chloride ions were favorable to the use of the additions in substitution to the portland cement. Both concretes with additions showed better performances than the concretes without silica, indicating high capacity of HPC to protect against the steel corrosion in reinforced concrete structures. Concerning the types of cement used, CP V ARI RS showed to be more efficient than CP V ARI Plus and presented better synergy with SRH. The electrochemical impedance spectroscopy technique can be used in HPC, however the effects of the high resistivity of the material should be minimized, especially when silica fume is used.

O concreto de elevado desempenho (CED) é aquele que atende aos requisitos de durabilidade e de resistência mecânica da construção, produzido a partir de materiais selecionados, com equipamentos eficientes e procedimentos controlados. Desenvolveu-se, assim, um estudo experimental, tendo como objetivo principal analisar e estabelecer correlações a partir de propriedades mecânicas e de durabilidade com a microestrutura da matriz. Para tanto, considera-se: a) emprego de agregados da região de São Carlos SP, analisando as suas características fundamentais; b) o emprego de cimentos Portland CP II E 32, CP V ARI Plus e CP V ARI RS em conformidade com ABNT, estabelecendo uma sinergia com os outros materiais envolvidos; c) o estabelecimento de dosagens buscando uma maior compacidade; d) a relação entre os constituintes, correlacionando-os com as formas produtivas e características de aplicações; e) o acompanhamento do desenvolvimento da hidratação e da microestrutura das composições estabelecidas e da influência adição da sílica ativa na matriz como um todo. A análise da microestrutura fundamentou-se em ensaios de poro simetria por intrusão de mercúrio, poro simetria por adsorção de gás nitrogênio, microscopia eletrônica de varredura, termogravimetria e difração de raio-X. Os resultados indicam que a sílica ativa tem forte influência na qualidade dos concretos de alto desempenho, principalmente quando em associação com escória de alto fomo, indicando a possibilidade de se produzir concretos duráveis. Da mesma forma, os resultados mecânicos sugerem excelentes perspectivas na produção do CED, com altas resistências à compressão, na faixa de até 110MPa, à tração na flexão da ordem de 10MPa e resistência à abrasão cerca de 40% superior a dos concretos convencionais. / High performance concrete (HPC) is concrete that meets the requisites of hardness and mechanical strength of construction applications, and is produced with selected materiaIs, efficient equipment and controlled procedures. An experimental study was carried out with the main purpose of analyzing and establishing correlations based on mechanical properties and durability of the matrix\'s microstructure. To this end, the following factors were taken into consideration: a) the use of aggregates available in the region of São Carlos, SP, analyzing their fundamental characteristics; b) the use of Portland CP II E 32, CP V AR! Plus and CP V AR! RS cements according to the ABNT code, establishing a synergy with the other materiais involved; c) the establishment of dosages in the search for greater compactness; d) the relation among the constituents, correlating them with the forms of production and characteristics of application; e) follow-up of the development of hydration and of the microstructures of the compositions established, and the influence of the addition of active silica in the matrix as a whole. The microstructural analysis was based on tests of porosity by mercury intrusion, porosity by adsorption of nitrogen gas, scanning electron microscopy, thermogravimetry and X-ray diffraction. The results indicate that active silica exerts a strong influence on the quality of high performance concretes, particularly when associated with slag, indicating the possibility of producing durable concretes. Similarly, the mechanical findings suggest excellent prospects for HPC production, with high compressive strength in the range of up to 110MPa, flexural strength in the order of 10MPa, and abrasive strength approximately 40% superior to that of conventional concretes.

A incorporação de resíduos industriais ao concreto, tais como as pozolanas, é uma das soluções para o aproveitamento de subprodutos poluentes estando em acordo com os princípios da sustentabilidade. É objetivo do trabalho discutir e analisar a viabilidade da aplicação de um resíduo das termoelétricas da indústria de beneficiamento do arroz, a cinza da casca de arroz (CCA), como adição mineral em concretos duráveis. Com 88% de sílica em sua composição, a CCA tem grande potencial de utilização em concretos porque possibilita o aumento da resistência à compressão pelas suas características de alta pozolanicidade e grande finura. Misturas de argamassas padrão contendo 0, 5, 10 e 15% de CCA moídas apenas industrialmente e com moagem adicional de 1 hora, foram confeccionadas a fim de se avaliar o comportamento do aglomerante (CPV - ARI PLUS + CCA) em relação à resistência mecânica. Concretos com traços 1:3,5, 1:5 e 1:6,5, relação água-aglomerante igual a 0,45 e 15% de CCA foram ensaiados à compressão. Os ensaios mostraram que a CCA é predominantemente cristalina e tem alta pozolanicidade. Quanto às argamassas padrão e aos concretos, os resultados mostraram que a utilização da CCA em compósitos à base de cimento é viável, além de ser ecologicamente correta. / Industrial residues, such as pozzolan, can be incorporated in concretes as a solution for polluter refuses, according to sustainable principles. The objective of this work it is to discuss and analyze the use of rice thermoeletrical industry residue, the rice rusk ash (RHA), as mineral addition in durable concretes. The RHA can be used to increase the compression strength of concretes once it has high pozzolanicity and thinness, composed by 88% of silica. It was created mixtures of standard mortars containing 0, 5 10 and 15% of industrial grounded RHA and also with one hour of additional grind. The idea of those mixtures was to evaluate the mechanical strength of the agglomerate (pure Portland cement + RHA). Compression tests in poor, normal and rich concretes with water/agglomerate ratio of 0,45 and 15% of RHA were set too. The tests indicated that the RHA is predominant crystalline and it is a high pozzolanicity material. All the analyses showed that the material has suitable and competitive characteristics for application as agglomerate component.