This thesis evaluates the use of fibrous reinforced concrete as a viable structural repair alternative. An independent laboratory investigation was conducted to substantiate the validity of the marketed claims of Polypropylene Fiber Reinforced Concrete (PFRC) and of Steel Fiber Reinforced Concrete (SFRC) to improve the long-term performance of conventional portland cement concrete. The study found that SFRC significantly increases the compression strength, flexural behavior, and material toughness of PCC, whereas the test response for PFRC yielded minimal contributory strengths. The work examines the function of fibers; FRC's historical background, prevalent economic considerations, and modern repair applicational developments; remedies to overcome the negative aspects of SFRC; current research programs; and future trends. The author recommends trial field demonstration of Steel Fiber Reinforced Micro-Silica Dense Concrete (SFR-MSDC) as a cost-competitive material alternate in lieu of non-fibrous Latex-Modified Concrete (LMC) to more proficiently rehabilitate fatigue-distressed bridge decks.

Autogenous shrinkage is of concern in high performance concrete mixtures, when specific properties like strength and durability are enhanced. Factors like low watercement ratio, low porosity and increased hydration kinetics which are associated with high performance concrete mixtures are also responsible for the development of autogenous shrinkage. With about two decades of research into autogenous shrinkage, uncertainties still exist with testing procedure, effect of supplementary cementitious materials, modelling and prediction of autogenous shrinkage. The primary focus of this study is to understand mechanisms which have been postulated to cause autogenous shrinkage like chemical shrinkage and self desiccation. In addition, this study has considered properties like porosity and internal empty voids in the analysis of the causes of bulk volume deformations of the cementitious paste systems with and without mineral admixtures. The study begins with an experimental investigation of chemical shrinkage in hydrating cementitious paste systems with the addition of fly ash, slag and silica fume using the test method recently accepted by the ASTM. This was followed by the experimental investigation of autogenous shrinkage in cementitious paste. The autogenous shrinkage in paste mixtures is studied from an early age (~1.5 hours after addition of water) for cementitious systems at a water-cementitious ratio of 0.32 (w/c 0.25 for limited mixture proportions). A non-contact measurement method using eddy current sensors were adopted. The hydration mechanism of the cementitious paste systems was then modelled using CEMHYD3D, which is a 3 dimensional numerical modelling method successfully used to study, simulate and present the hydration developments in cementitious systems. Properties like chemical shrinkage, degree of hydration, total porosity and free water content; all of which have been obtained from the CEMHYD3D simulation have been cross correlated with the experimental results in order to more comprehensively understand the mechanism contributing to bulk volume change under sealed conditions. The experimental investigations are extended to study the development in concrete with and without mineral admixtures (i.e., silica fume, fly ash and slag). Self desiccation driving the development of autogenous shrinkage has been used extensively across literature but as an alternative the author has proposed using internal drying factor in modelling autogenous shrinkage. The "internal drying factor" is described as the ratio of the empty voids (due to chemical shrinkage) to the total porosity at any point of time of hydration. Independent of the mixture proportions, a linear trend was observed between the autogenous shrinkage strain and increase in internal drying factor. Thus the internal drying factor could be incorporated into semiempirical models while attempting to predict autogenous shrinkage. An increase in the compressive strength of matured concrete at 1 year had a strong correlation to the observed autogenous shrinkage strains irrespective of the cementitious system. It is believed this could be because of the increase in gel-space ratio which is intern linked to the degree of hydration and porosity of the microstructure. The author has obtained strong evidence that the micro-structural changes associated with high strength and durable concrete have a direct impact on the autogenous shrinkage of concrete. Hence, the author suggests that autogenous shrinkage should be investigated and allowable values be stipulated as design criterion in structures that use high strength-high performance concrete.

published_or_final_version / abstract / Civil Engineering / Doctoral / Doctor of Philosophy

Thesis (MScEng (Civil Engineering))--University of Stellenbosch, 2010. / ENGLISH ABSTRACT: Concrete water retaining structures (WRS) in South Africa are under scrutiny due to the numerous durability problems that they have experienced lately; despite the efforts by local and national authorities in conserving these structures. At the heart of these problems are the creep and shrinkage phenomena. While shrinkage is the reduction of concrete volume with time, creep is defined as the time-dependent increase of concrete strain under constant or controlled stress. Both phenomena are affected by conditions to which WRS are exposed hence their accurate prediction is required. Numerical models have been developed to calculate the extent to which concrete creeps or shrinks over time. The objective of this thesis is to identify which of these models is better equipped to be used in South African WRS design. This is achieved through a systematic method that involves an investigation into the contents of these models and a statistical comparison of model calculations to WRS representative data. In partnership with reputable universities, a pioneer experimental creep and shrinkage data base is created in this project from which the WRS related data is selected. While investigating the contents of the numerical models, their applicability to South African WRS is identified and the integrity of model contents is assessed. Indeed, a few irregularities are found in the process and are presented in this thesis. The model calculations are statistically compared to data in the form of individual experiments as well as in the form of groups of experiments with similar concretes to find the ideal prediction model for different types of concretes as well. Also pioneered in this project is a weighted criteria and point system in which the findings of the model content assessment and statistical evaluations are incorporated. It is based on this system that conclusions are drawn and the most suitable prediction model for WRS design in South Africa is selected.

MSc., Faculty of Science, University of the Witwatersrand, 2011 / A hierarchical non-linear model was developed for the time-dependent shrinkage behaviour of South African concretes, from historical laboratory data. The fit of fifteen growth curve models to the shrinkage-time profiles was evaluated and MCDA was used to identify the best model. The three parameters of the chosen growth curve model were modelled in terms of covariates (relating to concrete raw materials, concrete composition and shrinkage testing conditions) by multivariate multiple regression to produce the WITS model. The model largely conformed to existing knowledge about the factors affecting concrete shrinkage. Published models for concrete shrinkage were compared to the WITS model regarding their predictive ability with respect to the South African data set. The WITS model performed the best across a variety of graphical and numerical goodness-of-fit measures. The importance of the study is two-fold:  The concept of hierarchical non-linear modelling has been applied for the first time to the modelling of the time-dependent properties of concrete.  This is the first comprehensive model to bring together laboratory data on the shrinkage of concrete generated in South Africa over a span of thirty years.

O trabalho em questão estuda o comportamento e adequação do diagrama de dosagem do concreto com relação ao módulo de elasticidade estático e dinâmico. Além disso, compara os modelos de previsão do módulo de elasticidade estático baseados na resistência à compressão das normas americana, alemã, européia, fib e a brasileira ABNT NBR 6118 (2014) - Projeto de Estruturas de Concreto: procedimento. Foram produzidos dois concretos com consistências distintas; uma plástica e outra flúida (auto adensável). Foram desenvolvidos três traços para cada consistência, totalizando assim seis traços. Essas dosagens tiveram como variáveis a relação água/cimento e o consumo de cimento; o abatimento foi mantido constante. Uma análise comparativa entre os resultados experimentais com os valores previstos por algumas normas foi realizada, avaliando o nível de precisão das mesmas. A ACI 318 (2014) foi a norma que teve seus resultados mais próximos em relação a NBR 6118 (2014). Já as normas EUROCODE 2 (2004) e DIN 1045 apresentaram resultados semelhantes. E a norma fib CEB 2010, apresentou valores superestimados em relação às demais normas. Assim, é possível afirmar que a determinação do módulo de elasticidade do concreto se mostrou coerente com os materiais e dosagens utilizadas. Contudo, é uma variável muito sensível à composição do traço, mesmo quando mantidos os materiais. A resistência à compressão é uma das variáveis que interfere nos resultados. Entretanto, tem também grande influência a variação da natureza dos agregados graúdos e a relação pasta/agregado graúdo, por exemplo. O módulo dinâmico através de ondas ultrassônicas, também foi medido e comparado com o módulo estático, mostrando-se uma opção rápida e não destrutiva de avaliar o módulo de elasticidade do concreto. / The work involved studying the behavior and adjustment of dosage diagram of concrete with respect to static and dynamic elastic modulus. Furthermore, it compares the models of the static elastic modulus based on the compressive strength, German, European, American and Brazilian ABNT NBR 6118 (2014) prediction - Design of Concrete Structures: procedure. Two concrete were produced with different consistency; plastic and other fluid (selfcompacting). Three traits were developed for each consistency, totaling six traits. These dosages were as varying the water / cement and cement consumption; the rebate was kept constant. A comparative analysis of the experimental results with those predicted by some standards was carried out to evaluate the level of accuracy of the same. ACI 318 (2014) was the standard that had their closest results compared to NBR 6118 (2014). Have the Eurocode and DIN 1045 standards -2 showed similar results. And the standard fib CEB - 2010, showed overestimated values in relation to other standards. Thus, we can say that the determination of elasticity of the concrete module proved consistent with the materials and dosages used. However, it is very sensitive to the composition of the trace variable, even when kept the materials. The compressive strength is one of the variables that affect the results. However, it also has great influence to change the nature of the coarse aggregate and the relative folder / coarse aggregate, for example. The dynamic ultrasonic waves through the module was also measured and compared with the static module, showing a rapid and non-destructive option to evaluate the modulus of elasticity of the concrete.

Les bétons autoplaçants (BAP), développés depuis plusieurs années sont encore à l'heure actuelle qualifiés de « nouveaux bétons » car leur utilisation reste modeste bien qu'ils possèdent un fort potentiel de développement. Ce frein peut être expliqué par leur coût plus élevé, leur sensibilité à la ségrégation et à la fissuration due à leur fort retrait ainsi que par le manque de connaissances sur leur durabilité. Les BAP se distinguent des bétons ordinaires principalement par un dosage en éléments fins plus important. Ainsi, l'utilisation de fines additions minérales plus économiques et/ou plus écologiques dans ces bétons parait judicieuse sous certaines conditions. La présente thèse s'inscrit dans ce contexte et a pour objectifs de contribuer au développement de BAP plus écologiques et à l'étude de leur durabilité. Notre choix s'est porté sur deux ciments industriels à forte teneur en additions, le ciment CEM Ill à base de laitier de haut fourneau et le ciment CEM V à base de cendres volantes et de laitier de haut fourneau ainsi que sur deux additions minérales encore peu étudiées dans la littéraire : le métakaolin et un sédiment de dragage calciné. Différentes formulations dérivées d'une formulation de BAP de parement de référence à base de CEM 1 ont été mises au point. Les résultats des essais mécaniques et physico-chimiques menés sur les différentes formulations montrent un effet plus ou moins important des additions sur le comportement mécanique au jeune âge et un effet positif certain à plus long terme. Les résultats des mesures de retrait endogène et de dessiccation de l'état frais (plastique) à l'état durci bien hydraté montrent que certaines additions augmentent le retrait de dessiccation des BAP (laitier et sédiment calciné) alors que d'autres le réduisent considérablement (le métakaolin). L'effet indéniable des additions sur l'amélioration de certains indicateurs de durabilité (diffusion des chlorures et perméabilité au gaz) et sur l'augmentation de leur sensibilité à la carbonatation a été quantifié. L'influence assez complexe des différentes additions est étudiée à la lumière des analyses physico-chimiques et microscopique. Enfin, une modélisation mésoscopique est développée et appliquée aux BAP en vue d'une une étude paramétrique. L'effet de la forme des granulats et de leur concentration sur le comportement global en compression et traction d'éprouvette de SAP ainsi que l'effet de l'endommagement mécanique sur l'évolution de la perméabilité sont étudiés. / Self-compacting concretes (SCC), developed several years ago are still considered as “•novel concrete" as their use remains modest although they have a strong development potential. This is mainly due to their higher cos, their sensitivity to segregation and cracking due to their high shrinkage and also due to the lack of information about their durability. SCCs are distinguished from ordinary concrete mainly by their high content of paste. The use of supplementary cementitious materials (SCM), grow increasingly for economic and environmental reasons. This thesis falls within this context and aims to contribute to the development of greener SCCs and to the study of their durability.Two industrial blended cements containing high amounts of SCM, slag cement CEM Ill and CEM V cement containing slag and fly ash as well as two mineral additions still little studied in the literature: metakaolin and calcined dredged sediment are used. Various SCC mixtures derived from a reference SCC based on CEM 1 cement were developed. The results of the mechanical, physical and chemical testing on the different formulations show a greater or lesser effect of SCM on the mechanical behavior at early age and some positive effect over the long term. The results of measurements of the autogenous and drying shrinkage from fresh state (plastic) to well hydrated state show that some SCMs increase the drying shrinkage of SCCs (slag and calcined sediment) while ethers significantly reduce its amplitude (metakaolin).The undeniable effect of SCMs on improving some durability indicators (chloride diffusion and gas permeability) and on increasing the sensitivity to carbonation was quantified. The rather complex influence of the different SCMs is studied in the light of physicochemical and microscopie analyzes. Finally, mesoscopic modeling is developed and applied to SCCs for a parametric investigation. The effect of the shape of aggregates and their concentration on the overall behavior in compression and tensile SCC specimen as well as the effect of the mechanical damage on the evolution of permeability are studied.

M.S.

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

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