This thesis presents the results of a research program examining the effects of macro-synthetic fibers on the shear and flexural behaviour of high-strength concrete (HSC) beams subjected to static and blast loads. As part of the study, a series of seventeen fiber-reinforced HSC beams are built and tested under either quasi-static four-point bending or simulated blast loads using a shock-tube. The investigated test parameters include the effects of: macro-synthetic fibers, fiber hybridization, combined use of fibers and stirrups and longitudinal steel ratio and type. The results show that under slowly applied loads, the provision of synthetic fibers improves the shear capacity of the beams by allowing for the development of yield stresses in the longitudinal reinforcement, while the combined use of synthetic fibers and stirrups is found to improve flexural ductility and cracking behaviour. The results also show that the provision of synthetic fibers delays shear failure in beams tested under blast pressures, with improved control of blast-induced displacements and increased damage tolerance in beams designed with combined fibers and stirrups. The study also shows that the use of hybrid fibers was capable of effectively replacing transverse reinforcement under both loading types, allowing for ductile flexural failure. Moreover, the use of synthetic fibers was effective in better controlling crushing and spalling in beams designed with Grade 690 MPa high-strength reinforcement. Furthermore, the results demonstrate that synthetic fibers can possibly be used to relax the stringent detailing required by modern blast codes by increasing the transverse reinforcement hoop spacing without compromising performance. As part of the analytical study, the load-deflection responses (resistance functions) of the beams are predicted using sectional (moment-curvature) analysis, as well as more advanced 2D finite element modelling. Dynamic resistance functions developed using both approaches, and incorporating material strain-rate effects, are then used to conduct non-linear single-degree-of-freedom (SDOF) analyses of the blast-tested beams. In general, the results show that both methods resulted in reasonably accurate predictions of the static and dynamic experimental results.

Die vorliegende Arbeit zeigt Forschungsergebnisse zur Materialveränderung normaler und hochfester Betone unter Impulsbelastung gegenüber einer quasi-statischen Beanspruchung. Die Untersuchung wurde an speziellen eingeschnürten Prismen unter zentrischem Zug vorgenommen. Die Untersuchungen belaufen sich auf die generelle Festigkeitssteigerung und Modifikation der Spannungs-Dehnungs-Beziehung infolge veränderter Belastung. Neben den Betrachtungen des Materialverhaltens wurde auf die entstehenden Bruchflächen ein genaueres Augenmerk gerichtet, um Unterschiede des Materialverhaltens durch Änderungen beim Bruchvorgang zu erkennen. Zur Beurteilung der Bruchfläche werden die fraktale Analyse und ein Ortsfrequenzspektrum genutzt. / The present paper exhibits results of the latest research into the modification of the behaviour of normal and high-strength concrete on impact versus quasi-static loads. This examination has been carried out at tensile stress on special constricted specimens. The enquiries amount to the general strength increase and modification of the stress-strain-relationship due to a changing of load history. Further on, a special attention was turned to the crack surface to get differences of the material behaviour during the cracking process. The fractal analysis and a spatial frequency spectrum were used for the description of the surface.

This paper presents the details of an experimental investigation on the behaviour of axially loaded concrete-filled stainless steel elliptical hollow sections. The experimental investigation was conducted using normal and high strength concrete of 30 and 100 MPa. The current study is based on stub column tests and is therefore limited to cross-section capacity. Based on the equations proposed by the authors on concrete-filled stainless steel circular columns, a new set of equations for the stainless steel concrete-filled elliptical hollow sections were proposed. From the limited data currently available, the equation provides an accurate and consistent prediction of the axial capacity of the composite concrete-filled stainless steel elliptical hollow sections.

El crecimiento poblacional ha generado necesidades en infraestructura, como vivienda y transporte. Para satisfacer la demanda y requerimientos técnicos, se necesita colocar concreto de alta resistencia y a edades menores. La calidad del concreto depende de varias variables que están en función de los materiales que lo componen. En el mercado existen opciones como aditivos, fibras y materiales con actividad puzolánica para mejorar sus propiedades. No obstante, su uso puede tener consecuencias negativas como pérdidas económicas, controles de calidad exhaustivos y explotación de recursos naturales. Esta investigación busca determinar si la adición de nanoplaquetas de grafeno en porcentajes de 0.27% y 0.33% mejora las propiedades físico-mecánicas y facilita la elaboración del concreto de alta resistencia mediante la aplicación de ondas ultrasónicas. Con ello, se busca aportar al campo de los nanomateriales y la innovación de los materiales de construcción, abriendo nuevas puertas para los investigadores interesados en este ámbito. La dosificación más efectiva obtenida fue la adición del 0.27% de nanoplaquetas de grafeno, tanto para las propiedades físicas como mecánicas. Además, se llevó a cabo un ensayo de durabilidad que permitió terminar de concluir que la adición de nanoplaquetas de grafeno al concreto F'c=500 kg/cm2, con la aplicación de ondas ultrasónicas, no produce cambios significativos en sus propiedades. Por lo tanto, esta solución no es viable debido a los altos costos de importación de la máquina de ultrasonidos y las nanoplaquetas de grafeno. / The population growth has generated infrastructure needs such as housing and transportation. To meet the demand and technical requirements, high-strength concrete needs to be placed at younger ages. The quality of concrete depends on various variables that are influenced by its constituent materials. In the market, there are options such as additives, fibers, and materials with pozzolanic activity to improve its properties. However, their use can have negative consequences such as economic losses, rigorous quality controls, and exploitation of natural resources. This research aims to determine whether the addition of graphene nanoplatelets at percentages f 0.27% and 0.33% enhances the physico-mechanical properties and facilitates the production of high-strength concrete using ultrasonic waves. It seeks to contribute to the field of nanomaterials and innovation in construction materials, opening new avenues for researchers interested in this area. The most effective dosage obtained was the addition of 0.27% of graphene nanoplatelets for both physical and mechanical properties. Furthermore, a durability test was conducted, which concluded that the addition of graphene nanoplatelets to concrete with a strength of F'c=500 kg/cm2, using ultrasonic waves, does not produce significant changes in its properties. Therefore, this solution is not viable due to the high costs of importing the ultrasound machine and graphene nanoplatelets.

Aujourd’hui, la technologie du béton ayant fortement évolué, il est, sous certaines conditions, réaliste de construire des éléments structuraux en béton ayant à la compression une résistance de 90N/mm² voire nettement plus. En conséquence, l’ingénieur concepteur peut être amené dans le cadre du dimensionnement des colonnes à en diminuer les dimensions transversales pour des raisons esthétiques ou d’encombrement. Inévitablement, cette diminution de la section transversale induit une augmentation de l’élancement et augmente ainsi les risques des instabilités de flambement. A cette question de flambement, il faut adjoindre l’influence d’une préconception qui veut qu’une structure en béton à haute résistance soit moins ductile qu’une structure construite avec un béton normal ! De ceci résulte la question à la base de ce travail : « Peut-on arriver à diminuer la section transversale d’une colonne en utilisant des résistances de béton plus élevées tout en imposant la même valeur de capacité portante et en ne réduisant pas leur ductilité ? » Afin de répondre à cette question, le travail s’est articulé autour de deux axes essentiels qui sont d’une part une campagne d’essais (afin d’obtenir des résultats fiables) sur 12 colonnes en béton armé à haute résistance (90N/mm²) d’élancement 74 et 82 dont l’excentricité de la charge est une variable, et d’autre part l’implémen- tation de deux programmes informa- tiques utilisant le principe de l’analyse au second ordre en vue de réaliser une étude paramétrique dont l’excentricité, la hauteur des colonnes, la proportion d’acier, la résistance du béton sont les variables. Trop souvent encore, les ingénieurs de bureau d’études hésitent à effectuer un calcul au second ordre et placés devant la question des dimensions de section à donner à une colonne de hauteur et de capacité portante imposées, déterminent celles-ci pour se satisfaire d’un calcul au 1er ordre. Au terme de notre étude, nous avons montré que cette approche est loin d’être optimale, qu’il est possible, au prix d’un calcul au second ordre (mais il est fait à l’ordinateur), de tirer profit d’une augmentation de la résistance du béton pour réduire les dimensions des sections et aboutir en toute sécurité à un dimensionnement plus économique en consommation de matériaux (acier, béton, ciment).

Neste estudo foram analisados experimentalmente o comportamento de 24 pilares curtos de Concreto de Ultra Alta Resistência - CUAR, confinados por armaduras helicoidais, avaliando especificamente os acréscimos de resistência e ductilidade obtidos com diferentes níveis de pressão lateral de confinamento. Na etapa experimental foram realizados ensaios de pilares curtos de CUAR com as seguintes características: - seção circular de 7,2 cm de diâmetro e comprimento de 23 cm, e quatro níveis de resistência à compressão do concreto sendo eles, 165, 175, 200 e 229 MPa, dosados sem e com adição de fibras metálicas; - diferentes espaçamentos das armaduras helicoidais, de modo que fossem obtidas situações com baixo, médio e alto índice de confinamento e taxa de armadura longitudinal fixa. Os ensaios de compressão centrada foram realizados com controle de deslocamento, de modo que foram obtidas as curvas força x deslocamento completas. Constatou-se que a seção resistente dos pilares de CUAR é a formada pelo núcleo de concreto confinado, área delimitada pelo eixo da armadura transversal. Observou-se que o CUAR com fibras metálicas apresenta maior deformação do núcleo de concreto confinado em relação ao núcleo de concreto confinado de CUAR sem adição de fibras metálicas, indicando dessa forma, que os pilares de CUAR com fibras metálicas apresentam comportamento mais dúctil. Para as situações de alto confinamento foram gerados ao concreto do núcleo confinado significativos acréscimos de resistência e deformação axial, aumentando a resistência do concreto confinado em relação a resistência do concreto não confinado em: 82,26%, 75,34%, 90,46% e 70,51%, respectivamente, e as deformações axiais do concreto confinado em relação a deformação axial do concreto não confinado em: 433%, 474%, 647% e 550%. Finalmente, acredita-se que os resultados obtidos poderão trazer subsídios para aplicações futuras desta técnica de confinamento na construção de novos elementos estruturais e no reforço de pilares submetidos a elevados níveis de solicitação axial. / This study evaluated experimentally the behavior of 24 short columns of Ultra High Strength Concrete - UHSC confined by helical transverse reinforcement, specifically evaluating strength increases and ductility obtained with different levels of lateral pressure of confinement. In the experimental phase short UHSC columns with the following characteristics were tested: - circular cross section of 7.2 cm diameter and 23 cm length, four levels of concrete strength (165, 175, 200 and 229 MPa), with and without addition of metallic fibers; - different spacing of transverse reinforcement, so that situations were obtained with low, medium and high level of confinement, while the longitudinal reinforcement ratio was fixed. The centered compression tests were conducted with displacement control, so that complete force x displacement curves were obtained. It was found that the resistant section of UHSC columns is formed by the confined concrete core delimited by the axis of the transverse reinforcement. It was observed that the axial displacement reached in columns with steel fibers was higher than without fibers, indicating that columns with steel fibers exhibit more ductile behavior. For high confinement levels significant axial strength and displacement increases were observed. Increases of axial strength of confined concrete in comparison to unconfined concrete were 82.26%, 75.34%, 90, 46% and 70.51%. Axial displacements were increased by 433%, 474%, 647% and 550%. Finally, it is believed that the results could provide information for future applications of this technique in construction of a new type of columns or in strengthening of columns subjected to high levels of axial force.

Esta pesquisa foi motivada pela existência de controvérsia na literatura sobre concreto exposto a altas temperaturas, das dúvidas ainda por solucionar acerca da matéria e da lacuna na norma brasileira para a matéria. Este tema reapareceu após os vários acidentes em túneis ao redor do mundo ocorridos nos últimos dez anos, nos quais se verificou a ocorrência de lascamento explosivo de forma intensa, afetando a estabilidade estrutural. O objetivo principal da tese é correlacionar os parâmetros tecnológicos de dosagem (relação água/cimento, teor de argamassa e consumo total de água) às condições de risco de lascamento, associados à umidade ambiente, que indiretamente, influencia no grau de saturação do concreto. O segundo objetivo é otimizar o uso de fibras de polipropileno para minimizar o efeito do lascamento. Adotou-se empregar a curva-padrão H durante 55 minutos em corpos-de-prova cúbicos aquecidos apenas em uma das fases com sua dilatação térmica lateral restringida. O nível de lascamento foi avaliado usando o volume lascado, obtido pela espessura medida diretamente nos corpos-de-prova, multiplicada pela área lascada, calculada pelo AUTOCAD 2000. Os resultados mostraram que o parâmetro tecnológico mais relevante na ocorrência de lascamento foi a relação água/cimento e a umidade ambiente apresentou capacidade de alterar as condições de risco de lascamento. No estudo com as fibras percebeu-se diferentes teores de fibras e diferentes características das fibras para cada grupo de a/c. Conclui-se que a relação água/cimento mais baixa associada a umidade a ambiente mais elevada é a condição mais propícia a ocorrência de lascamento. Conclui-se também que o teor de fibras de 600g/m³ é o teor mínimo para se reduzir o lascamento no grupo a/c=0,50 e 1750g/m³ no grupo a/c=0,25. A fibra L=12mm F=36µm PF=140°C mostrou-se a mais eficaz no grupo a/c=0,50 apenas o comprimento L=6 mm mostrou-se eficiente na redução do lascamento. / The present research was motivated by the going controversy in the literature about concrete exposed to high temperatures, the yet unanswered doubts existent on this subject and in the absence of regulation on the matter in Brazil. The theme gained significance after the occurrence of several accidents in tunnels all over the world in the last ten years, in which were observed a very intense form of explosive spalling that affected structural stability of the sites. The main purpose of this work is set up a correlation between technological parameters of dosage in concrete (water cement rate -w/c, mortar content - a, and total water consumption - H) and risk conditions of spalling, which are related to environment humidity that indirectly effects concrete saturation level. The second goal is to optimize the use of polypropylene fiber in order to minimize spalling. The standard H curve was applied during 55 minutes in cubic samples with only a single surface exposed to heat and with restrained lateral thermo dilatation. The response variable was the observed volume of spalling (with multiplied by area of spalling in the sample). The results showed the rate water/cement as the most relevant technology parameter related to spalling risk conditions. Whereas the use of fiber is concerned, efficiency required different fiber content and characteristic for each water/cement rate combined with higher environment humidity provides proper conditions for the occurrence of spalling were 600g/m³ and 1750g/m³ for water/cement ratios of 0,5 and 0,25 respectively. It was also found that the fiber with L=12mm, F=36µm PF=140°C was the most effective in reducing spalling for a water/cement ratio of 0,50 whilst for a effective in reducing spalling for a water/cement ratio of 0,50 whilst for a water/cement ratio of 0,50 whilst for a water/cement ratio 0,25 only the length (L=6 mm) appeared as a significant factor.

O objetivo deste trabalho é apresentar uma metodologia que possibilita a obtenção de uma linha de concretos auto-adensáveis de alta resistência, econômicos e com reduzido impacto ambiental quando comparados com os concretos correntes. Para atingir estes resultados foram estabelecidos critérios de dosagem e de produção visando à sinergia entre os materiais constituintes do concreto. Foram pesquisados métodos de empacotamento dos agregados e adições minerais, estudada a interação entre o aditivo superplastificante e os materiais cimentícios e a incorporação de fibras de lã-de-rocha ou poliamida. Os concretos com matriz densa sob efeito de temperaturas elevadas tendem a sofrer lascamentos explosivos. Diante disso foi verificado o comportamento de corpos de prova e os resultados indicaram a importância da adição da fibra de poliamida nessa condição, onde o concreto resistiu a uma temperatura de 400ºC. Ensaios de resistência à abrasão indicaram que a fibra de lã-de-rocha melhora essa propriedade do concreto e, como esperado, essa adição não inibe o lascamento explosivo do concreto. Também foram determinadas as propriedades mecânicas dos concretos e concluiu-se que é possível o emprego de um concreto estrutural auto-adensável com consumo de cimento Portland da ordem de 325 kg/\'M POT.3\', fc7 = 53 MPa, fc28 = 71 MPa e Ec28 = 43 GPa. Devido à ação das adições minerais, estes concretos atingiram uma grande reserva de resistência à compressão após a idade de referência de 28 dias, obtendo-se 89 MPa aos 131 dias de idade. A densificação da pasta hidratada, a melhoria da zona de interface desta com os agregados, além da fissuração reduzida decorrente do baixo consumo de cimento e da adição de fibras indicam que este material tem desempenho superior ao prescrito pela NBR 6118 para as diversas classes de agressividade ambiental e de resistência. / The aim of this work is to show a methodology that allows to realize a set of high strength self-consolidating concrete, economic and with lower environmental impact when compared with current concretes. To get these results, criteria for production and mix design had been established aiming at to synergy between constituent materials of the concrete. Methods of particles packing (aggregates and mineral additions), the interaction between the superplasticizer and cementitious materials and the fiber incorporation were researched. The concretes with dense matrix under effect of high temperatures are susceptible to explosive spalling. In this situation, concretes were evaluated by testing cylindrical specimens and results evidenced the importance of the polyamide fiber when the concrete supported 400ºC. Tests of abrasion resistance indicated a good application for the wool-of-rock fiber, but this material not avoids explosive spalling. The mechanical properties of the concretes were determined and show that is possible to product a self consolidate concrete with low cement content (325 kg/\'M POT.3\'), fc7 = 53 MPa, fc28 = 71 MPa and Ec28 = 43 GPa. Due to action of the mineral additions, these concretes had a great reserve of compressive strength after the age of reference of 28 days and achieved 89 MPa at 131 days of age. The high density cement paste, the improvement of the matrix-aggregate interfacial zone and the reduced cracking due to the low cement content and the fibre addition indicate that these materials has superior performance to those prescribed for the NBR 6118 for diverse strength classes and aggressive environmental exposure.

O emprego de pilares mistos formados por tubos de aço preenchidos com concreto de alta resistência, sobretudo em edifícios altos, é uma tendência em diversos países europeus, americanos e asiáticos. A tais elementos são atribuídas vantagens como: alta resistência e ductilidade, economia de materiais e mão-de-obra, redução das dimensões da seção transversal e melhoria no comportamento dos materiais aço e concreto, devido ao efeito de confinamento. Buscando suprir algumas carências de conhecimento, procura-se obter dados experimentais sobre o comportamento de pilares mistos axialmente comprimidos, possibilitando desta forma avaliar parâmetros como influência da forma da seção transversal e da espessura do perfil tubular no seu comportamento. Foram analisadas seções quadradas, circulares e retangulares, preenchidas por concreto com resistência média de 50MPa. A ruína destes elementos caracterizou-se pelo esmagamento do concreto, ocorrendo posteriormente a flambagem local do perfil em diversos pontos. A capacidade resistente prevista por diversas normas resultou em valores muito próximos dos experimentais, embora várias destas normas não considerem o efeito de confinamento. Os ensaios mostraram que o efeito de confinamento contribui de forma decisiva na melhoria do comportamento dos materiais, sobretudo ductilizando o concreto de alta resistência, entretanto seus efeitos não são significativos no aumento da capacidade resistente da seção mista. Alguns critérios para avaliação da ductilidade à compressão foram adaptados e mostraram bons resultados, possibilitando o cálculo do índice de ductilidade. / The use of concrete filled steel tubes especially in tall buildings is a tendency in several european, american and asian countries. The use of these members has several advantages: high resistance and ductility, saving of materials and labour, reduction of cross section dimensions and improvement in behaviour of the materials steel and concrete due the confinement. The main purpose of this study is provide some experimental results of the behaviour of concrete filled steel tubes concentrically loaded. The main experimental parameters considered were the influence of the cross-section shape and thickness of steel tube. Square, circular and rectangular cross-section shapes infilling with concrete of the 50MPa of strength were analyzed. The failure was characterized for crushing of the concrete and later local buckling of the steel section in several points. The strength capacity predicted for several standards showed good agreement with the experimental failure values although this does not consider the confinement of the concrete. The results of tests showed that the confinement effect contributes for improvement behaviour of materials, especially increasing the ductility of the high strength concrete. However the results showed that the triaxial confinement does not increase the axial capacity of the concrete filled steel tubes. Some methods to estimate the ductility of axially compressed concrete columns were adapted and showed good results permitting the calculation of the ductility index of short columns.

Neste trabalho analisa-se a resistência à punção e a ductilidade das ligações laje-pilar em doze modelos de lajes-cogumelo de concreto armado, nas quais se efetuam combinações de emprego de concreto de alta resistência, diferentes volumes de fibras de aço e uso de armadura transversal na forma de conectores de aço tipo pino. Todas as lajes são quadradas com 1160 mm de lado e 100 mm de espessura. A armadura de flexão foi composta de barras de aço de 10 mm espaçadas de tal forma a resistir a um momento fletor único em ambas direções. Os conectores, quando utilizados, foram dispostos radialmente e compostos de barras de aço de 6.6 mm soldadas a segmentos de ferro chato nas duas extremidades. Para avaliar a capacidade resistente dos modelos de ligação laje-pilar e observar o ganho de ductilidade que as fibras proporcionam, foram ensaiados segmentos-de-laje, os quais representam uma faixa destes modelos de ligação laje-pilar. Foi utilizado um sistema de ensaio dotado de atuador hidráulico servo-controlado, programado para ensaio com deformação controlada e aquisição contínua dos dados, o que permitiu a avaliação do comportamento pós-pico de resistência e a realização de medições de resistência residual. Várias hipóteses de cálculo foram utilizadas para avaliar a resistência última das ligações laje-pilar. Empregou-se um critério de classificação para caracterizar o tipo de ruptura em: punção ou flexão predominante ou uma combinação de punção-flexão. Constatou-se que o emprego de concreto de alta resistência, juntamente com armadura transversal, aumenta substancialmente a resistência da ligação laje-pilar, e quando combinado com fibras de aço, consegue-se um considerável aumento da ductilidade. / This work analyses the punching shear resistance and ductility of slab-column connections on twelve concrete flat slab models. The model characteristics resulted from combinations of the application of high or ordinary strength concrete, different steel fiber volume fractions and use or not of shear reinforcement. All the slabs are square with 1,160 mm of side and 100 mm of thickness. The main flexural reinforcement was composed of 10 mm steel bars spaced in such a way to resist to the same bending moment in both directions. When used, the shear reinforcement of steel studs were disposed in radial directions and consisted of 6.6 mm steel bars welded to flat steel segments in their ends. To evaluate the resistant capacity of slab-column connection models and to observe the ductility that the fibers provide, they were rehearsed segments-of-slab, which represents a strip of these slab-column connection models. A testing system with a servo-controlled hydraulic jack was used and it was programmed for a controlled deformation test and continuous data acquisition. This method allowed the evaluation of the post-peak strength behavior and the measurement of residual resistance forces. Several calculations hypotheses were used to evaluate the ultimate strength of the slab-column connections. A classification criterium was applied to characterize the failure type as: predominant punching or flexure or a combination of punching-flexure. It was verified that the application of high strength concrete, together with shear reinforcement, increases substantially the slab-column connection strength, and, when combined with steel fibers, a considerable ductility increase is achieved.