Hot Mix Asphalt (HMA) design has undergone years of development. Currently, many state agencies use the Superpave mix design method. While the Superpave mix design improved rutting, the implemented level 1 only considered volumetric properties and not mixture performance tests. Therefore, development in the asphalt community has addressed some of the issues with the Superpave mix design, e.g., cracking and raveling, with the Balance Mix Design (BMD) approaches. The Balance Mix Design incorporates performance testing elements that the level 1 Superpave mix design does not. The Virginia Department of Transportation (VDOT) aims to implement the Balance Mix Design by 2023. The objective of this thesis is to evaluate the initial frictional properties of mixes designed using the Balanced Mix Design method to verify that safety is not compromised to support the implementation of the BMD method within VDOT. It provides a further understanding of BMD mixtures surface properties provides insight into volumetric properties that may influence macrotexture. The thesis analyzed the initial friction and macrotexture of a series of experimental sections built to support VDOT BMD implementation efforts. A Side-Force Coefficient Road Investigation Machine (SCRIM) was used to measure friction and texture data on Control (Superpave Mix Design) and Balance Mix Design sections on several VDOT districts. Once the data was collected, it was analyzed using descriptive statistics and mean comparisons to determine any statistical differences in the friction and texture of the Control and BMD Mixes. The analysis showed that although statistically significant differences in friction and macrotexture were observed between some of the Superpave (Control) and Balance Mix Design mixes, the differences seem to be more prominent among districts than between the mix design method. In general, there were no difference in friction between control and BMD mixes in the same locations. On the other hand, there is statistically significant differences in the as-constructed macrotexture of Superpave and BMD mixes evaluated, with more BMD mixes having higher macrotexture than their control counterparts. Further analysis was conducted to create a macrotexture prediction model based on production volumetric properties obtained from VDOT databases. The model provided an initial assessment of the main HMA properties that influence MPD. A comparison of the macrotexture of the constructed in the various locations found that there is strong statistical evidence that the mean macrotexture of the pavement constructed in the various location was different. The analysis also showed that some projects produced sections with more uniform macrotexture than others. Comparison of mixes constructed in different years does not suggest any significant differences over the three-construction season evaluated. / Master of Science / Hot Mix Asphalt (HMA) is derived from various mix designs over the last hundred years. Currently, many highway agencies use the Superpave Mix Design in roadway development but only his basic level has been implemented. Most agencies do not use mechanical tests to verify that the mixes will perform properly when place on the pavement. To address some of issues with the current mix design approach, highway agencies have started to implement and use the Balance Mix Design (BMD). The Balance Mix Design incorporates performance tests for distresses such as rutting and cracking where the Superpave Mix Design did not. The Virginia Department of Transportation (VDOT) is working towards implementing the Balance Mix Design by 2023. The objective of this thesis is to evaluate the initial frictional properties of mixes designed using the Balanced Mix Design method to verify that safety is not compromised to support the implementation of the BMD method within VDOT. It helps agencies understand of BMD mixtures surface properties and what mix design properties may influence the safety of the road surface. The thesis analyzed the initial friction and macrotexture, properties that allow the vehicles to break and maintain control on curves, of a series of experimental sections built to support VDOT BMD implementation efforts. The Side-Force Coefficient Road Investigation Machine (SCRIM) is a large vehicle that continuously measures the pavement surface for friction, texture, and other elements using a skewed wheel and a laser system. The SCRIM was used in this thesis to measure friction and texture data on Control (Superpave Mix Design) and Balance Mix Design sections constructed on several VDOT districts. The data were analyzed using statistical analysis to determine any differences in the friction and texture of the Control and BMD Mixes. In general, there are no differences in friction between control and BMD mixes in the same locations. On the other hand, the analysis showed significant differences in the as-constructed macrotexture of Superpave and BMD mixes evaluated. In general, more BMD mixes had higher macrotexture than their control counterparts. Further analysis was conducted to create a macrotexture prediction model based on production volumetric properties obtained from VDOT databases. A comparison of the macrotexture of the constructed in the various locations found that there is strong statistical evidence that the average macrotexture of the pavement constructed in the various location was different.

Traditional asphalt mix design procedures are empirical and need random and lengthy trials in a laboratory, which can cost much labor, material resources, and finance. The initiative (Material Genome initiative) was launched by President Obama to revitalize American manufacturing. To achieve the objective of the MGI, three major tools which are computational techniques, laboratory experiments, and data analytics methods are supposed to have interacted. Designing asphalt mixture with laboratory and computation simulation methods has developed in recent decades. With the development of data science, establishing a new design platform for asphalt mixture based on data-driven methods is urgent. A balanced mix design, defined as an asphalt mix design simultaneously considering the ability of asphalt mixture to resist pavement distress, such as rutting, cracking, IRI (international roughness index), etc., is still the trend of future asphalt mix design. The service life of asphalt pavement mainly depends on the properties of the asphalt mixture. Whether asphalt mixture has good properties also depends on advanced asphalt mix design methods. Scientific mix design methods can improve engineering properties of asphalt mixture, further extending pavement life and preventing early distress of flexible pavement. Additionally, in traditional asphalt mix design procedures, the capability to resist pavement distress (rutting, IRI, and fatigue cracking) of a mixture is always evaluated based on laboratory performance tests (Hamburg wheel tracking device, Asphalt Pavement Analyzer, repeated flexural bending, etc.). However, there is an inevitable difference between laboratory tests and the real circumstance where asphalt mixture experiences because the pavement condition (traffic, climate, pavement structure) is varying and complex. The successful application examples of machine learning (ML) in all kinds of fields make it possible to establish the predictive models of pavement distress, with the inputs which contain asphalt concrete materials properties involved in the mix design process. Therefore, this study utilized historical data acquired from laboratory records, the LTPP dataset, and the NCHRP 1-37A report, data analytics and processing methods, as well as ML models to establish pavement distress predictive models, and then developed an automated and balanced mix design procedure, further lying a foundation to achieve an MGI mix design in the future. Specifically, the main research content can be divided into three parts:1. Established ML models to capture the relationship between properties of the binder, aggregates properties, gradation, asphalt content (effective and absorbed asphalt content), gyration numbers, and mixture volumetric properties for developing cost-saving Superpave and Marshall mix design methods; 2. Developed pavement distress (rutting, IRI, and fatigue cracking) predictive models, based on the inputs of asphalt concrete properties, other pavement materials information, pavement structure, climate, and traffic; 3. Proposed and verified an intelligent and balanced asphalt mix design procedure by combining the mixture properties prediction module, pavement distress predictive models and criteria, and non-dominated Sorting genetic algorithm-Ⅱ (NSGA-Ⅱ). It was discovered determining total asphalt content through predicting effective and absorbed asphalt content indirectly with ML models was more accurate than predicting total asphalt content directly with ML models; Pavement distress predictive models can achieve better predictive results than the calibrated prediction models of Mechanistic-Empirical Pavement Design Guide (MEPDG); The design results for an actual project of surface asphalt course suggested that compared to the traditional ones, the asphalt contents of the 12.5 mm and 19 mm Nominal Maximum Aggregate Size (NMAS) mixtures designed by the automated mix design procedure drop by 7.6% and 13.2%, respectively; the percent passing 2.36 mm sieve of the two types of mixtures designed by the proposed mix design procedure fall by 17.8% and 10.3%, respectively. / Doctor of Philosophy / About 96% of roads are paved with asphalt mixture. Asphalt mixture consists of asphalt, aggregates, and additives. Asphalt mix design refers to the process to determine the proper proportion of aggregates, asphalt, and additives. Traditional asphalt mix design procedures in laboratories are empirical and cost much labor, material resources, and finance. Pavement distresses, for example, cracks are important indicators to assess pavement condition. With the development of data science, machine learning (ML) has been applied to various fields by predicting desired targets. The multi-objective optimization refers to determining the optimal solution of a multiple objectives problem. The study applied ML methods to predict asphalt mixture components' proportions and pavement distress with historical experimental data and pavement condition records from literature and an open-source database. Specifically, the main research content can be divided into three parts:1. Established ML models to predict the proportion of asphalt when aggregates are given; 2. Built ML models to predict pavement distress from pavement materials information, pavement structure, climate, and traffic; 3. Develop a digital asphalt mix design procedure by combining the pavement distress prediction models and a multi-objective optimization algorithm.

The most common use of reclaimed asphalt pavement (RAP) is in the lower layers of a pavement structure, where it has been proven as a valid substitute for virgin materials. Instead, the use of RAP in surface mixes is more limited, with a major concern being that the high RAP mixes may not perform as well as traditional mixes. To reduce risks of compromised performance, the use of RAP has commonly been controlled by specifications that limit the allowed amount of recycled material in the mixes. However, significant cost and environmental savings can be achieved if more RAP is included in the surface layer. This dissertation develops an approach that can be followed to incorporate more RAP in the surface mix while maintaining good performance. The approach is based on the results from three studies that looked at how to optimize the design of the mix, in terms of rutting and fatigue resistance, when more RAP is used. In the first study, a high RAP control mix and an optimized mix designed using different design compaction energy (65 and 50 gyrations respectively) were compared. The optimization process consisted in the definition of an alternative mix composition that supported the higher binder content allowed by the lower design compaction energy. Using Accelerated Pavement Testing and laboratory characterization it was possible to assess the potential of mix optimization with the objective of improving rutting resistance. The testing showed no indication that the optimized mixes would have rutting problems, supporting the implementation of the reduction of the design compaction energy level. The optimized mix exhibited a similar or superior rutting resistance in the full-scale setting, in the laboratory, and in the forensic investigation. The second part focused on the production of highly recycled surface mixes capable of performing well. To produce the mixes, a balanced mix design (BMD) methodology was used and a comparison with traditional mixes, prepared in accordance with the requirements of the Virginia Department of Transportation (VDOT) volumetric mix design, was performed. Through the BMD procedure, which featured the indirect tensile cracking test for evaluating the cracking resistance and the Asphalt Pavement Analyzer for evaluating rutting resistance, it was possible to optimize the selection of the optimum asphalt content. Also, it was possible to obtain a highly recycled mix (45% RAP) capable of achieving better overall performances than traditional mixes while carrying a large reduction in production cost. The final part evaluated the laboratory performance of four different highly recycled surface mixes to support their possible implementation in the state of Virginia. The mixes featured either 30% or 45% RAP, different asphalt contents, the use of a WMA additive, and a rejuvenator. To analyze the mixes' performance in great depth, a three-level (base, intermediate, and advanced) testing framework was defined. Each level was characterized by an increasing degree of complexity and included tests to characterize both the cracking resistance and the rutting resistance. The study aimed at investigating the features of the various laboratory tests. Through the review of the theoretical background, the evaluation of the test procedures, and statistical analysis of the results, it was possible to identify the strengths and weaknesses of each test and to provide guidelines to develop appropriate quality assessment criteria and mix design methodology. In summary, throughout this research, it was possible to observe that the respect of Superpave mix design requirements alone, with particular reference to gradation limits and volumetric properties, was not guarantee of satisfactory performance in terms of both cracking and rutting resistance. To increase the confidence in the RAP properties, increase the current recycling levels, and introduce more appropriate mix design specifications, BMD could be used (even with simple laboratory tests) to check performance-based criteria. / Doctor of Philosophy / Nowadays, transportation agencies are expected to perform a large number of pavement rehabilitation projects, while facing major limitations in budgetary funds. In order to have safe, efficient, and cost-effective roadways, the economic advantage of recycling is boosting an effort to increase the amount of RAP in asphalt mixtures. In addition, over the past decades, the environmental awareness of the transportation agencies and public increased significantly, pushing even more towards the use of new green technologies. The use of RAP became noticeable in the 1970s and its popularity increased significantly since that time. However, there are still many open questions which prevent larger uses of recycled materials, mainly related to the design methodology and the field performances of recycled mixtures. Therefore, today there is a large untapped potential that would grow even more the magnitude of pavement recycling and of the associated benefits. New design procedures, based on the support of laboratory tests to characterize the mixtures, and full-scale experiments are the tools that pavement engineers can use in order to enrich the knowledge of highly recycled road materials and grow the confidence of public agencies and contractors towards these new more sustainable solutions. Throughout this dissertation it was possible to evaluate new innovative ways of incorporating more RAP in the asphalt mixtures through the analysis of current state of the art and the proposition of new procedures.

Asphalt mix design includes the determination of a gradation, asphalt content, other volumetric properties, the evaluation of mechanical properties and moisture damage potentials. In this study, a computational method is developed to aid mix design. Discrete element method (DEM) was used to simulate the formation of skeleton and voids structures of asphalt concrete of different gradations of aggregates. The optimum gradation could be determined by manipulating the particle locations and orientations and placing smaller particles in the voids among larger particles. This method aims at an optimum gradation, which has been achieved through experimental methods. However, this method takes the mechanical properties or performance of the mixture into consideration, such as inter-aggregate contacts and local stability. A simple visco-elastic model was applied to model the contacts between asphalt binder and aggregates. The surface texture of an aggregate particle can be taken into consideration in the inter-particle contact model. The void content before compactions was used to judge the relative merits of a gradation. Once a gradation is selected, the Voids in Mineral Aggregate (VMA) can be determined. For a certain air void content, the mastics volume or the binder volume or the asphalt content can be determined via a digital compression test. The surface area of all the aggregates and the film thickness can be then calculated. The asphalt content can also be determined using an alternative approach that is based on modeling the inter-particle contact with an asphalt binder layer. In this study, considering the necessity of preservation of the compaction temperature, the effect of various temperatures on Hot Mix Asphalt (HMA) samples properties has been evaluated. As well, to evaluate the effect of this parameter on different grading, two different grading have been used and samples were compacted at various temperatures. Air voids also influence pore water pressure and shrinkage of asphalt binder and mixture significantly. The shrinkage is measured on a digital model that represents beams in a steel mold and is defined as the linear autogenous deformation at horizontal direction. / Ph. D.

El concreto permeable es un concreto especial, el cual permite el paso del agua a través de su estructura gracias al alto porcentaje de vacíos que posee a diferencia del concreto tradicional. Esta cualidad del concreto permeable permite acabar con la falta de permeabilidad en las estructuras tradicionales de concreto evitando las fallas estructurales debido al encharcamiento y escurrimiento del agua. En esta investigación se realizó el diseño de mezcla del concreto permeable con una resistencia de 210 kg/cm2, aplicando el método ACI 522.R para poder aplicarlo como una alternativa de carpeta de rodadura en pavimentos. Para ello se realizaron diferentes diseños de mezcla en laboratorio hasta encontrar el diseño óptimo para obtener una resistencia a la compresión de 210 kg/cm2, el diseño de mezcla elegido contaba con las siguientes características: relación agua/cemento de 0.38, porcentaje de vacíos de 13%, 1.5% de aditivo Superplastificante y 7% de arena. Para validar la investigación se realizó la construcción de un prototipo con el diseño elaborado en laboratorio con un área de 2.00 m2 (1.00m x 2.00m). Al concreto en estado fresco se le analizaron sus características de consistencia, densidad y contenido de vacíos; en el estado endurecido se realizaron los ensayos de compresión, permeabilidad y flexión, además de aplicarle una prueba de carga. Los resultados indicaron que el diseño de mezcla usado en el prototipo con resistencia a la compresión de 261.58 kg/cm2 y permeabilidad de 0.01744 m/s puede usarse como alternativa de superficie de rodadura para un pavimento. / Pervious concrete is a special type of concrete which allows the passage of water through its structure due to its high percentage of voids unlike traditional concrete. This quality of pervious concrete allows to end the lack of permeability in traditional concrete structures thus preventing structural failures due to flooding and water runoff. This research will seek to find a mix design for pervious concrete to apply it as an alternative road surface for pavements. To verify the above, different mix designs were performed in laboratory to find the design that give us a compressive strength of 210 kg/cm2, the chosen design had the following features: water - cement ratio of 0.38, 13% air content, 1.5% additive superplasticizer and 7% of sand. To validate the research, a prototype was built with the chosen mix design, this prototype had an area of 2 m2 (1m x 2m). The fresh concrete was analyzed for its consistency, density, and void percentage; the hardened concrete was analyzed for its compressive strength, permeability and flexural strength, finally the prototype was load tested. The results indicated that the mix design used in the prototype with compressive strength of 261.58 kg/cm2 and a permeability of 0.01744 m/s can be used as an alternative rolling surface for pavements. / Tesis

Concreto projetado é aquele pneumaticamente transportado e projetado a alta velocidade, sobre uma superficie, sendo auto-compactado. Assim, denota-se que suas propriedades são dependentes do processo de projeção utilizado. Desta forma, para se estudar o material, é importante ter-se o conhecimento do seu processo de produção (se por via seca ou úmida, equipamentos e mão-de-obra utilizados, etc.) e das propriedades especificas do concreto projetado (como a reflexão, o desplacamento e a liberação de poeira ou névoa) e as respectivas formas de controle. Foi executado o estudo experimental do concreto projetado via seca, onde foi possivel caracterizar algumas diferenças de comportamento em relação ao concreto convencional. Entre elas está o fato de que a maior compactação e resistência mecânica é obtida com o teor ótimo da mistura e não com a menor relação água/cimento. Constatou-se o fato da projeção do concreto no teto fornecer um material de melhor qualidade que aquele projetado na parede. Finalmente, para a obtenção de um material boa qualidade, é fundamental o controle rigoroso do teor de aditivo acelerador, a utilização de bicos afunilados, pressão de ar comprimido adequada, pré-umidificação com injeção de água sob pressão e seguir as recomendações para o controle da qualidade do processo de projeção como um todo. / Shotcrete is concrete pneumatically conveyed and projected at high speed onto a surface, compacting itself. Thus its properties depend on the shooting process. It is important to know the shooting process (wet ou dry-mix process, equipaments and working crew, etc.), the specific properties of shotcrete (rebound, sloughing and dust generation) and respective mean of controlo An experimental study was made using dry-mix shotcrete, where it was possible to point out some differences of the plain concrete analysis. One of these is the high compaction and stregth achieved with the optimum waterIdry materiaIs ratio and not the minimum water/cement ratio. Shotcrete, gunned in overhead, generates a better material compared to the vertical walls. Finally, to obtain a good quality material, it\'s very important to make a rigorous control of the accelerator admixture contento AIso, it is recommended to use a funnelshaped nozzle, adequate compressed air pressure, hidromix with high water pressure and to follow the recommendations on alI shotcreting process quality control.

The Superpave mix design system is being adopted by most of the states in the Unites States. Since the Superpave system was developed on the basis of data mostly obtained from medium to high traffic volume roads, there is a need to develop criteria for mix design for Hot Mix Asphalt (HMA) mixes for low traffic volume roads. In this study funded by the six New England states, research was carried out to develop a proper mix design system for low volume roads from the standpoint of durability properties and then, once a good mix design system was available, check it to determine if it meets required strength properties. For low volume roads the performance is primarily affected by the environment and not by traffic, the approach in this study has been to determine the optimum value of a key volumetric property and an optimum number of design gyrations for producing compacted HMA mixes with adequate resistance against aging/high stiffness related durability problems. Six mixes were obtained in which only one can be characterized as a fine mix, and the remaining five were all relatively close to the maximum density line - three of them were with 9.5 mm Nominal Maximum Aggregate Size (NMAS), and the other two were with 12.5 mm NMAS. Based on the results from performance testing, film thickness of 11 microns in samples compacted to 7 percent voids was found to be desirable from considerations of stability and durability and a design VMA of 16 percent was determined to be optimum for producing durable and stable mixes for low volume roads. Results from testing of in-place mixes from good performing 10 to 12 year old low volume roads indicated a design gyration of 50 for obtaining a void content of 4 percent for mixes with gradations close to the maximum density line.

O final da vida útil de pavimentos com bases rígidas se caracteriza pelo aparecimento de trincas de blocos e de fadiga. Neste cenário, a reciclagem das camadas de base e revestimento asfáltico, com adição de cimento, surge como técnica importante para reabilitação dessas estruturas. Além de se tratar de uma solução vantajosa do ponto de vista técnico, é competitiva em termos econômicos, além de sustentável. Entretanto, a escassa normatização nacional dificulta sua aplicação, destacando-se a falta de um procedimento de dosagem. Objetivando contribuir para o desenvolvimento de um método de dosagem de camadas recicladas com cimento, desenvolveu-se um programa experimental, contemplando a caracterização mecânica (resistência e rigidez), a variação volumétrica e a erodibilidade de misturas contendo fresado asfáltico, materiais de bases rígidas (brita graduada tratada com cimento e solo-cimento) e cimento Portland. Foram analisados os efeitos da porcentagem de fresado, do teor de cimento e do tempo de cura, compactando-se os corpos de prova na energia Modificada. Com auxílio de um software estatístico, foi elaborado um planejamento experimental para definição das misturas analisadas, contemplando-se diversos níveis para as variáveis independentes (teores de cimento entre 1% e 7%, e porcentagens de fresado variando entre 8% e 92%, aproximadamente). Os tempos de cura considerados foram extrínsecos ao planejamento e variaram de acordo com o ensaio, sendo de 3, 7 e 14 dias para os ensaios de comportamento mecânico e de 7 dias para os demais ensaios. Obtiveram-se modelos com efeitos estatisticamente significativos, com exceção da expansão. Os demais modelos apresentaram coeficientes de determinação de médios a elevados, tendo em vista a heterogeneidade dos materiais estudados, além do tamanho amostral considerável. Foi verificado que todas as variáveis afetam as propriedades analisadas, sendo que o teor de cimento demonstrou maior efeito, sendo que sua adição melhora consideravelmente o comportamento das misturas empregadas, frente à ação do tráfego e da água. Foram alcançados resultados bastante elevados de resistência à compressão simples (1,00 MPa a 6,49 MPa) e resistência à tração na compressão diametral (0,17 MPa a 1,22 MPa); já a rigidez das misturas apresentou uma ampla variação de resultados (484 MPa a 20.031 MPa). Com relação aos materiais de base empregados (brita graduada tratada com cimento e solo-cimento), não se observou uma tendência única; as misturas com solo-cimento apresentaram maior resistência, entretanto, com comportamento ligeiramente inferior quanto à variação volumétrica e à erodibilidade. Na análise da rigidez, os materiais de base mostraram comportamento bastante similar. Para concluir, foi verificado que o procedimento proposto por Fedrigo (2015) também é satisfatório para a dosagem de misturas recicladas constituídas por antigas bases cimentadas e fresado asfáltico, restando ainda quantificar a possível retração por secagem das misturas estudadas. / The end of the useful life of pavements with rigid bases characterizes by the appearance of block and fatigue cracking. The full-depth reclamation with cement (FDR-C) of this layer combined with the asphalt layer seem to be a good choice for the rehabilitation of the pavement structure. Besides being an advantageous solution from a technical point of view, it is competitive in economic terms, besides being sustainable. However, the Brazilian standards are scarce thus limiting its application, highlighting the lack of an appropriated mix design method to this technique. In order to contribute for the development of an FDR-C mix design method, an experimental program was developed aiming to test the mechanical characterization (strength and stiffness), volumetric variation and the erodibility of mixtures made of reclaimed asphalt pavement (RAP), rigid base materials (cement treated crushed stone and soil-cement) and Portland cement. There were analyzed the effects of the RAP percentage, the cement content and the curing time of the specimens. For that, the compaction effort used was the Brazilian Modified one. Through a statistic software, an experimental planning was prepared for mixtures determination, with several levels for the independent variables (cement content between 1% and 7%, and RAP percentage varying by 8% up to 92%, approximately). The curing time analyzed was outward of experimental planning and it varied according to the kind of test. The specimens of mechanical performance were cured for 3, 7 and 14 days, and the other tests were examined at the 7th day of curing time. Models with statically significant effects were obtained, except the swell one. The others had medium and high coefficients of determination, given the heterogeneity of the studied materials, in addition to considerable sample size. It was found that all variables affect the analyzed properties, and the cement content proved to be with the greatest effect among the analyzed factors. Cement addition improves considerably the behavior of the mixtures for the traffic and water actions. Moreover, higher results were achieved for UCS (1.00 MPa up to 6.49 MPa) and ITS (0.17 MPa up to 1.22 MPa) tests. While the mixtures stiffness presented a wide range of results (484 MPa up to 20,031 MPa). Regarding the studied materials, it was observed that they do not have a single trend. The mixtures with soil-cement presented stronger, but with slightly lower behavior for volumetric variation and erodibility. At the stiffness analysis, different materials showed very similar behavior. All in all, it was found that the mix design method proposed by Fedrigo (2015) is also suitable for employment in semi-rigid FDR-C, still remaining to measure the possible drying shrinkage of specimens.

A energia elétrica é, sem dúvida, um recurso indispensável para a sociedade moderna. A mesma revolucionou o modo de vida do ser humano em todos os aspectos e melhorou substancialmente sua qualidade de vida. A distribuição da energia elétrica cabe ao Sistema Elétrico de Potência – SEP, dividido basicamente em três macro setores: geração, transmissão e distribuição. A eletricidade é efetivamente entregue aos consumidores pelo sistema de distribuição, formado principalmente por redes aéreas sustentadas por postes, estes na sua maioria, feitos de concreto armado. Tendo em vista o adequado fornecimento da energia elétrica à sociedade, se faz necessário assegurar as linhas de distribuição de energia, na qual os postes exercem papel fundamental. Entende-se que o aumento da vida útil dos postes de concreto armado pode colaborar para a redução da manutenção da rede de distribuição, reduzindo o investimento em substituições ou reparos em postes por parte das concessionárias Deste modo, esse trabalho propõe a otimização do traço utilizado na produção de postes de concreto armado em uma empresa de artefatos de concreto, visando à vida útil do mesmo. Para tanto foram realizados estudos visando o aprimoramento da composição dos agregados, adição de material pozolânico, adição de fibras e utilização de aditivos superplastificantes. Para análise dos traços em escala real foram moldados 12 postes, tipo duplo T com 9 metros de comprimento, empregando 5 traços com características distintas. Os postes foram avaliados seguindo a metodologia e requisitos da NBR 8451-1 (ABNT, 2011), parâmetros de resistência mecânica do concreto e penetração de íons cloreto ASTM C1202 (2012). Por meio da análise dos resultados, é apresentado o traço indicado para produção de postes de concreto armado, onde foi possível aprimorar o traço atualmente produzido pela empresa, reduzindo o consumo de cimento de 429 kg/m³ para 351 kg/m³ e reduzindo a taxa de penetração de íons cloreto e aumentando a vida útil do poste de concreto armado de 10 para 60 anos. À vista disso, foi possível aumentar a vida útil do elemento, mesmo com a redução do consumo de cimento e o custo para a produção do traço de concreto. / Electricity is undoubtedly an indispensable resource for modern society. The same has revolutionized the way of life of the human being in all aspects and substantially improved their quality of life. The distribution of electricity is up to the Electric Power System - EPS, basically divided into three macro sectors: generation, transmission and distribution. Electricity is actually delivered to consumers by the distribution system, consisting mainly of overhead lines supported by pylons, these mostly made of reinforced concrete. Given the adequate supply of electricity to society, it is necessary to ensure the power distribution lines, in which the poles play a fundamental role. It is understood that increasing the useful life of reinforced concrete poles can contribute to the reduction of maintenance of the distribution network, reducing investment in replacements or repairs on poles by concessionaires. Thus, this paper proposes the optimal trait used in the production of reinforced concrete poles on a firm concrete artifacts, seeking the life of it For both studies were performed in order to improve the composition of households, adding pozzolanic material, adding fiber and use of superplasticizers additives. For analysis of traces in real scale 12 posts, T type double with 9 feet long, employing five traits were shaped with distinct characteristics. The posts were evaluated following the methodology and requirements of NBR 8451-1 (ABNT, 2011), the mechanical response of concrete and chloride ion penetration ASTM C1202 (2012). By analyzing the results, the dash indicated for production of reinforced concrete poles, where it was possible to improve the trace currently produced by the company, reducing the cement content of 429 kg / m³ to 351 kg / m³ and reducing the rate appears penetration of chloride ions and increasing the service life of reinforced concrete post 10 to 60 years. In view of this, it was possible to extend the life of the element, even with the reduction in cement consumption and the cost for the production of concrete mix.

In the process of crushing concrete waste, significant amounts of fine by-products, the so called fine recycled concrete aggregates (FRCA), are generated and excluded from potential use. Limited research has thoroughly investigated the performance of concrete mixes with FRCA, very likely due to the complexity in analysing non-negligible amounts of adhered residual cement paste (RCP). Although some studies have proposed promising sustainable mix-design procedures accounting for the different microstructure when using coarse recycled concrete aggregates (CRCA), no similar approach exists for FRCA concrete. In this work, two promising procedures for mix-designing eco-efficient concrete with 100% FRCA are proposed accounting for the presence of RCP to reduce cement content in new mixtures. First, built on top of the existing procedure for CRCA mix-design, modifications to the Equivalent Volume (EV) method were introduced toconsider full replacement of fine natural sand by FRCA. Second, based on the concept of continuous Particle Packing Models (PPM), an optimized procedure was proposed to allow maximum packing density of FRCA mix linked to a given level of measured RCP content. Results verified the feasibility of producing eco-efficient concrete mixes with 100% FRCA, emphasizing the PPM mixes to report superior rheological and mechanical performance along with suitable durability-related properties. Yet, results also indicated the influence of simple or multistage crushed FRCA on the overall performance of mixes.