A melhor maneira de se caracterizar o comportamento mecânico pós-fissuração dos concretos reforçados com fibras (CRF) para fins estruturais é por meio de ensaios que envolvem a ruptura do material à tração direta. Devido às dificuldades de execução destes, comumente se empregam ensaios de tração indireta, com destaque para os ensaios de flexão com sistema fechado. Entretanto, fatores limitantes, como a superestimação da capacidade resistente do compósito em testes de flexão, têm incentivado o desenvolvimento de outros métodos de ensaio mais fidedignos às características do CRF. Este é o caso do ensaio de compressão de corpo de prova com duplo corte em cunha, abreviado como DEWS (do inglês, Double Edge Wedge Splitting), em que o esforço de tração indireta não está associado a uma flecha, como nos ensaios de flexão, mas sim à própria fissuração da matriz de concreto. No DEWS há a possibilidade de avaliação direta da ortotropia do CRF e seu efeito na resistência pós-fissuração no estado limite de serviço (ELS) e último (ELU). Estudos anteriores sobre este ensaio utilizaram sistema aberto, mas se restringiram a avaliar apenas elevados teores de fibra, o que não traz dificuldades à caracterização da resistência residual no ELS. Este trabalho, contudo, buscou o estudo mais acurado a respeito do ensaio DEWS. Os programas experimentais desenvolvidos empregaram concretos reforçados com baixos teores de fibra de aço. Inicialmente, estudou-se a capacidade do ensaio DEWS em identificar o efeito da orientação das fibras na matriz na resistência pós-fissuração do CRF. Essa análise foi correlacionada com os resultados obtidos a partir de ensaios de flexão de prismas feitos como recomendado pela JSCE-SF4, assim, buscou-se avaliar se este teste promove uma superestimação da capacidade de reforço da fibra. Uma outra avaliação centrou-se no fator da taxa de carregamento de ensaio, realizando-se a metodologia DEWS e o teste de flexão (JSCE-SF4: 1984) sob quatro velocidades distintas, com intuito de verificar seu grau de influência no comportamento do material. A partir dos resultados obtidos, o ensaio DEWS mostrou-se aplicável na avaliação da ortotropia de corpos de prova em concretos reforçados com baixos teores de fibra de aço, mesmo com a utilização de sistema aberto e em velocidade de carregamento acima da proposta em literatura. A extensão da instabilidade pós-fissuração obtida a partir do ensaio DEWS foi menor que a encontrada para o ensaio de flexão de prismas. O estudo mostrou que a capacidade resistente pós-fissuração do CRF no ensaio de flexão pode ser até 300% maior do que a mesma resistência medida na direção transversal do prisma. / The best way to characterize the post-cracking behaviour of fibre reinforced concretes (FRC) for structural proposes is through direct tensile tests. As direct tensile tests are difficult to conduce, usually indirect tensile tests are employed, especially bending tests with closed-loop control. However, limiting factors, as the strength capacity overestimation of composites under flexural beams tests had motivated the development of another test procedure aiming to obtain responses closer to FRC basic characteristics. This is the case of Double Edge Wedge Splitting test (DEWS). In this test, the indirect tensile stress is not associated with a deflection - as is common in bending tests - but it is related with the cracking opening of concrete matrix. The DEWS test brings the possibility of direct evaluation of the FRC orthotropic behaviour and its effect in the post-crack strength at the serviceability (SLS) and ultimate (ULS) limit estates. Previous researches about DEWS test were done using open-loop control, but they were limited to higher fibre content. These do not provide difficulties about the residual strength characterization at the SLS. Thus, this study carried out an accurate experimental analysis about DEWS. This experimental programme used only fibre reinforced concrete with low steel fibre volume fractions. The first analysis was based in the DEWS test capacity for identification of the effect of predominant fibre orientation into matrix in the post-crack strength of the FRC. This analysis was linked with the flexural test made with prismatic specimens as recommended by JSCE-SF4 in order to evaluate if it promotes an overestimation of the fibre reinforcement capacity. The other evaluation focused on the test loading rate factor by doing DEWS test and bending test (JSCE-SF4:1984) under four different rates in order to verify its influence on the material behaviour. The results shown that DEWS test was capable to identify the fibre alignment into FRC specimens with low fibre content, even using open-loop control and increasing the load rate. The extension of the instability region on DEWS test response was lower than the provided by the flexural tests. The study also showed that the flexural test could overestimate the post-crack strength capacity of the FRC up 300% in relation to the transversal direction.

A melhor maneira de se caracterizar o comportamento mecânico pós-fissuração dos concretos reforçados com fibras (CRF) para fins estruturais é por meio de ensaios que envolvem a ruptura do material à tração direta. Devido às dificuldades de execução destes, comumente se empregam ensaios de tração indireta, com destaque para os ensaios de flexão com sistema fechado. Entretanto, fatores limitantes, como a superestimação da capacidade resistente do compósito em testes de flexão, têm incentivado o desenvolvimento de outros métodos de ensaio mais fidedignos às características do CRF. Este é o caso do ensaio de compressão de corpo de prova com duplo corte em cunha, abreviado como DEWS (do inglês, Double Edge Wedge Splitting), em que o esforço de tração indireta não está associado a uma flecha, como nos ensaios de flexão, mas sim à própria fissuração da matriz de concreto. No DEWS há a possibilidade de avaliação direta da ortotropia do CRF e seu efeito na resistência pós-fissuração no estado limite de serviço (ELS) e último (ELU). Estudos anteriores sobre este ensaio utilizaram sistema aberto, mas se restringiram a avaliar apenas elevados teores de fibra, o que não traz dificuldades à caracterização da resistência residual no ELS. Este trabalho, contudo, buscou o estudo mais acurado a respeito do ensaio DEWS. Os programas experimentais desenvolvidos empregaram concretos reforçados com baixos teores de fibra de aço. Inicialmente, estudou-se a capacidade do ensaio DEWS em identificar o efeito da orientação das fibras na matriz na resistência pós-fissuração do CRF. Essa análise foi correlacionada com os resultados obtidos a partir de ensaios de flexão de prismas feitos como recomendado pela JSCE-SF4, assim, buscou-se avaliar se este teste promove uma superestimação da capacidade de reforço da fibra. Uma outra avaliação centrou-se no fator da taxa de carregamento de ensaio, realizando-se a metodologia DEWS e o teste de flexão (JSCE-SF4: 1984) sob quatro velocidades distintas, com intuito de verificar seu grau de influência no comportamento do material. A partir dos resultados obtidos, o ensaio DEWS mostrou-se aplicável na avaliação da ortotropia de corpos de prova em concretos reforçados com baixos teores de fibra de aço, mesmo com a utilização de sistema aberto e em velocidade de carregamento acima da proposta em literatura. A extensão da instabilidade pós-fissuração obtida a partir do ensaio DEWS foi menor que a encontrada para o ensaio de flexão de prismas. O estudo mostrou que a capacidade resistente pós-fissuração do CRF no ensaio de flexão pode ser até 300% maior do que a mesma resistência medida na direção transversal do prisma. / The best way to characterize the post-cracking behaviour of fibre reinforced concretes (FRC) for structural proposes is through direct tensile tests. As direct tensile tests are difficult to conduce, usually indirect tensile tests are employed, especially bending tests with closed-loop control. However, limiting factors, as the strength capacity overestimation of composites under flexural beams tests had motivated the development of another test procedure aiming to obtain responses closer to FRC basic characteristics. This is the case of Double Edge Wedge Splitting test (DEWS). In this test, the indirect tensile stress is not associated with a deflection - as is common in bending tests - but it is related with the cracking opening of concrete matrix. The DEWS test brings the possibility of direct evaluation of the FRC orthotropic behaviour and its effect in the post-crack strength at the serviceability (SLS) and ultimate (ULS) limit estates. Previous researches about DEWS test were done using open-loop control, but they were limited to higher fibre content. These do not provide difficulties about the residual strength characterization at the SLS. Thus, this study carried out an accurate experimental analysis about DEWS. This experimental programme used only fibre reinforced concrete with low steel fibre volume fractions. The first analysis was based in the DEWS test capacity for identification of the effect of predominant fibre orientation into matrix in the post-crack strength of the FRC. This analysis was linked with the flexural test made with prismatic specimens as recommended by JSCE-SF4 in order to evaluate if it promotes an overestimation of the fibre reinforcement capacity. The other evaluation focused on the test loading rate factor by doing DEWS test and bending test (JSCE-SF4:1984) under four different rates in order to verify its influence on the material behaviour. The results shown that DEWS test was capable to identify the fibre alignment into FRC specimens with low fibre content, even using open-loop control and increasing the load rate. The extension of the instability region on DEWS test response was lower than the provided by the flexural tests. The study also showed that the flexural test could overestimate the post-crack strength capacity of the FRC up 300% in relation to the transversal direction.

Combining the most recent technologies in concrete, Ultra-High-Performance Fibre-Reinforced Concrete (UHPFRC) arises as a promising material for the near future. UHPFRC have shown how flexible concrete can be to adapt to the ever-changing social and environmental demands. With its high flexibility composition and its mechanical properties, UHPFRC is full of both unexplored and unexploited possibilities. Engineers should take responsibility for this task. However, it is fair to acknowledge that this is not an easy task and it requires the development of reliable and widely accepted design standards provided by the scientific community. A major concern about durability, long-lasting structures and reduction of maintenance cost, as well as the development of new concrete technologies, improved knowledge of fibre effect and a huge growth in the fibre industry accompanied by fibre price reduction have led, among other factors, to the development of new types of concrete whose mechanical behaviour substantially differs from conventional fibre-reinforced concrete. This is why current characterisation methodologies and design standards must be reviewed and adjusted to these newer materials. However, design standard revision cannot disregard former milestones achieved thanks to decades of hard work. It must offer an integrated view in which new types of concrete comprise existing ones in a broader group, because at the end of the day and despite having newer and improved properties, new types of concrete are still concrete. That is how it should be understood and how it must be reflected in newer codes and standards. The work presented herein is focused on one of these recently developed materials that embraces major advanced technologies in concrete: Ultra-High-Performance Fibre-Reinforced Concrete (UHPFRC). This work is specifically focused on those crucial requirements for the development and widespread use of it, such as constitutive tensile characterisation and classification. This work includes a deep revision of the uniaxial tensile behaviour of concrete and its development as fibre technology has evolved. In addition, traditional characterisation standard methods as well as those recently developed for its specific use on UHPFRC are reviewed and called into question. Throughout the document, the development of different methodologies to determine the uniaxial constitutive tensile behaviour of UHPFRC from bending tests are shown, together with a simplified characterisation proposal specially developed for being included in a standard. All developed methodologies presented herein are checked and validated. These methods are specifically designed for their application on experimental results obtained from a special type of four-point bending test, whose standardisation proposal for UHPFRC is also shown. Finally, a classification proposal is presented as a function of more relevant UHPFRC tensile parameters necessary for design that can be directly obtained from the standard characterisation test method suggested. Proposed classification encompasses the existing classification for conventional reinforced and fibre-reinforced concrete. In it, both plain concrete and fibre-reinforced concrete are presented as a particular case of a more general tensile constitutive response for concrete. Standard methodology and classification proposed are in accordance with the evolution of concrete and unify historic milestones achieved by the international research community. / El Hormigón de Muy Alto Rendimiento (HMAR) combina los últimos avances tecnológicos en hormigón y se erige como un material prometedor para el futuro. El HMAR ha demostrado su gran capacidad para adaptarse a las cada vez más exigentes demandas sociales y medioambientales. Con un gran abanico de posibilidades en su dosificación para conseguir las propiedades mecánicas deseadas, el HMAR es un material lleno de posibilidades aún sin explorar y sin explotar. Los ingenieros tienen la responsabilidad de esta tarea. Sin embargo, es justo reconocer que no se trata de una tarea fácil y que requiere de un desarrollo previo de códigos de diseño adecuados y ampliamente aceptados por parte de la comunidad científica. La aparición de nuevas tecnologías, el mayor conocimiento sobre la aportación de las fibras así como su industrialización y bajada de precios, las mayores preocupaciones sobre la durabilidad estructural, incremento de la vida útil o la reducción de los costes de mantenimiento, entre otros factores, han derivado en el desarrollo de nuevas tipologías de hormigones cuyo comportamiento mecánico difiere de manera sustancial de los tradicionales hormigones con fibras. Es por ello que tanto la readaptación de las metodologías de caracterización como las metodologías de diseño deben ser reformuladas. Y esto debe hacerse de manera no disruptiva, es decir, manteniendo la línea de los hitos alcanzados en los hormigones con fibras convencionales de manera que queden integrados en metodologías de caracterización y de diseño que los engloben, porque al fin y al cabo, y aunque con nuevas y mejores propiedades mecánicas, los nuevos hormigones siguen siendo hormigones. Así debe ser entendido y así debe quedar reflejado en las nuevas normativas. El presente trabajo se centra en uno de esos nuevos materiales desarrollados con el avance de las nuevas tecnologías como es el HMAR. En especial, este documento se centra en ese aspecto tan fundamental para el desarrollo de nuevos hormigones como es la caracterización mecánica y la tipificación. Este trabajo incluye una revisión del comportamiento mecánico uniaxial a tracción del hormigón y de su evolución con la aparición de las diferentes tecnologías. Además, se revisan y se ponen en cuestión los sistemas tradicionales de caracterización, así como los nuevos sistemas desarrollados en los últimos años para su empleo específico en el HMAR. A lo largo del documento se desarrollan diferentes metodologías para la obtención del comportamiento constitutivo a tracción del HMAR, así como la propuesta de una metdología simplificada de caracterización especialmente diseñada para ser incluida en una norma, todas ellas debidamente validadas. Estas metodologías son de aplicación específica a los resultados experimentales obtenidos mediante un ensayo a cuatro puntos sin entalla, cuya propuesta de estandarización para el HMAR ha sido también desarrollada. Finalmente, se presenta una propuesta de tipificación de acuerdo a los parámetros más relevantes del comportamiento a tracción del HMAR que son necesarios para el diseño y que pueden ser directamente obtenidos del ensayo de caracterización propuesto. Esta clasificación engloba a la clasificación existente para el hormigón armado convencional y los actuales hormigones con fibras, de manera que se presenta la actual definición de hormigón con fibras como un caso particular de estos nuevos hormigones, respetando al máximo la evolución de este material y aunando los logros conseguidos por la comunidad científica. / Dins de les combinacions de les tecnologies més recents en el formigó, el formigó de molt alt rendiment (UHPFRC) sorgeix com un material prometedor per al futur pròxim. L'UHPFRC ha demostrat poder ser un formigó flexible per adaptar-se a les sempre canviants demandes socials i mediambientals. Amb una gran flexibilitat en la seua composició i les seues propietats mecàniques, l`UHPFRC està ple de possibilitats de ser explorades i explotades. Els enginyers han de prendre la responsabilitat d'aquesta tasca. No obstant això, és just reconèixer que això no serà fàcil i requerirà el desenvolupament de normes de disseny fiables i àmpliament acceptades per la comunitat científica. Hi ha una gran preocupació al voltant de la durabilitat, la vida útil de les estructures i la reducció del cost de manteniment, juntament amb el desenvolupament de noves tecnologies de formigó, un millor coneixement de l'efecte de la fibra i un enorme creixement en la indústria de la fibra acompanyat per la reducció del preu de la fibra, han conduït, entre altres factors, al desenvolupament de nous tipus de formigons, el comportament mecànic dels quals es diferencia substancialment dels formigons reforçats amb fibres convencionals. És per això que les metodologies de caracterització actuals i les normes de disseny han de ser revisades i ajustades a aquests nous materials. No obstant això, la revisió del codis de disseny no pot prescindir de les antigues fites aconseguides gràcies a dècades de treball dur. S'ha d'oferir una visió integrada en la qual els nous tipus de formigons integren els ja existents en un grup més ampli, ja que, al cap i la fi i malgrat tenir propietats noves i millorades, els nous tipus de formigons són encara un tipus de formigó. Així es com s'hauria d'entendre i reflectir-se en els nous codis i normes. El treball presentat en aquest document es centra en un d'aquests materials que s'han desenvolupat recentment i que abasta les principals tecnologies avançades en el formigó: el Formigó de Molt Alt Rendiment Reforçat amb Fibres (UHPFRC). Aquest treball se centra específicament en els requisits fonamentals per al desenvolupament i l'ús generalitzat d'aquest, com ara la caracterització i classificació del comportament constitutiu a tracció. Aquest treball inclou una revisió profunda del comportament a tracció uniaxial del formigó i els seus canvis al temps que la tecnologia de les fibres ha evolucionat. A més, els mètodes tradicionals estàndard de caracterització, així com els recentment desenvolupats per al seu ús específic en l'UHPFRC són revisats i qüestionats. Al llarg del document, es mostra el desenvolupament de diferents metodologies per a determinar el comportament constitutiu a tracció uniaxial de l'UHPFRC, juntament amb una proposta de caracterització simplificada especialment desenvolupada per poder ser inclosa en normativa. Totes les metodologies desenvolupades presentades en aquest document han estat comprovades i validades. Aquests mètodes estan dissenyats específicament per a la seva aplicació en els resultats experimentals obtinguts a partir d'un tipus especial d'assaig de flexió a quatre punts, a més també s'inclou una proposta d'estandardització per a l'UHPFRC. Finalment, es presenta una proposta de classificació en funció dels paràmetres més rellevants del comportament a tracció de l'UHPFRC que són necessaris per al disseny i que es poden obtindre directament del mètode d'assaig estàndard suggerit per a la caracterització de l'UHPFRC. La classificació proposada té amb compte la classificació existent per al formigó armat convencional i el reforçat amb fibres. En ella, tant el formigó en massa com el formigó reforçat amb fibres es presenten com un cas particular d'una resposta constitutiva a tracció més general per al formigó. La metodologia estàndard i la classificació proposada estan d'acord amb l'evolució de formigó i unifica l / López Martínez, JÁ. (2017). CHARACTERISATION OF THE TENSILE BEHAVIOUR OF UHPFRC BY MEANS OF FOUR-POINT BENDING TESTS [Tesis doctoral no publicada]. Universitat Politècnica de València. https://doi.org/10.4995/Thesis/10251/79740 / TESIS

The doctoral thesis deals with a non-destructive testing method (NDT) designed to evaluate the uniformity of distribution and determination of the concentration of steel fibres in steel fiber reinforced concrete (SFRC). At present, no non-destructive method is available in the field of diagnostics of building structures to assess the concentration and the homogeneity of SFRC. The Institute of Building Testing (SZK FAST BUT Brno) has several diagnostic devices, but their utility for the evaluation of selected parameters of SFRC has not proven during the research activity. This knowledge led to the design of a new measuring instrument in cooperation with the Institute of Theoretical and Experimental Electrical Engineering of the Faculty of Electrical Engineering and Communication (UTEE FEKT BUT in Brno) and the methodology for evaluation of these parameters. The proposed NDT method has been experimentally tested and verified for its utility for the evaluation of SFRC in building practice.

The overall objective of this study was to develop an optimised Ultra-High-Performance Concrete (UHPC) matrix based on the modified Andreasen and Andersen optimum particle packing model by using available South African materials. The focus of this study was to determine the optimum combined fibre and superplasticiser content for UHPC by using a response surface design. The UHPC was appropriately designed, produced and tested. Various changes in mechanical properties resulting from different combinations of steel fibre and superplasticiser contents was investigated. The flowability, density and mechanical properties of the designed UHPC were measured and analysed. Both the fibre and superplasticiser content play a significant role in the flowability of the fresh concrete. The addition of fibres significantly improved the strength of the concrete. The results show that the superplasticiser content can be increased if a more workable mix is required without decreasing the strength significantly. The statistical analysis of the response surface methodology confirms that the designed models can be used to navigate the design space defined by the Central Composite Design. The optimum combined fibre and superplasticiser content depend on the required mechanical properties and cost. Using the modified Andreasen and Andersen particle packing model and surface response design methodology, it is possible to efficiently produce a dense Ultra-High-Performance Fibre Reinforced Concrete (UHPFRC) with a relatively low binder amount, low fibre content and good workability. The effect of heat curing on the mechanical properties was investigated. It was concluded that heat curing is not recommended when considering the long-term strength development. The estimated strength development of concrete obtained by using the fib Model Code 2010 (2013) does not incorporate the detrimental effect of high curing temperatures on long-term strength and therefore overestimate the long-term strengths. The strength estimates for both early and long-term ages can be improved by considering this effect in the strength development functions obtained from fib Model Code 2010 (2013). The effect of specimen size on the compressive and flexural tensile strength of UHPFRC members were established. It was found that the specimen size has a significant effect on the measured cube compressive strength. Smaller beam specimens showed higher ductility compared to those of the larger beam specimens. The crack width decreased as the beam’s depth decreased. A lower variability was experienced in the beams with limited depth (< 45 mm). Further testing is required to determine whether a span-to-depth ratio of 10 would yield optimum results. The utilisation of by-products, such as undensified silica fume and fly ash, as cement replacement materials makes UHPFRC sustainable, leading to a reduced life-cycle cost. The calculated Embodied Energy per unit strength (EE/unit strength) and Embodied Carbon per unit strength (EC/unit strength) values for the UHPFRC mixture yield lower values compared to that of the 30 MPa concrete mixture, indicating that UHPFRC can be used to reduce the environmental footprint of the concrete industry. The inverse analysis method used was successful in providing an improved simplified stress-strain response for the UHPFRC. The analysis provided valuable information into the stress-strain, load-deflection and moment-curvature responses of the UHPFRC. Standard material test results were used to theoretically calculate moment-curvature responses and were then compared to the experimental results obtained. The study demonstrated that it is possible to efficiently produce a dense and workable UHPFRC with relatively low binder amount and low fibre content. This can result in more cost-effective UHPFRC, thus improving the practical application thereof. / Dissertation (MEng)--University of Pretoria, 2020. / Civil Engineering / MEng (Structural engineering) / Unrestricted

There was developed a novel technological and constructive approach for the low-cost production of curved freeform formworks, which allow the production of single and double-curved fibre reinforced concrete. The scheduled approach was based on a flexible, asymmetrical multi-layered formwork system, which consists of glass-fibre reinforced plastic (GFRP). By using of the unusual anisotropic structural behavior, these GFRP formwork elements permitted a specific adjustment of defined curvature. The system design of the developed GFRP formwork was examined exhaustively. There were designed, numerically computed and produced prototypical curved freeform surfaces with different curvature radii. The fibre reinforced concrete had a compressive strength of 101.4 MPa and a 3-point bending tensile strength of 17.41 MPa. Beyond that, it was ensured that the TRC had a high durability, which has been shown by the capillary suction of de-icing solution and freeze thaw test with a total amount of scaled material of 874 g/m² and a relative dynamic E-Modulus of 100% after 28 freeze-thaw cycles.

Devido à fragilidade do concreto, o controle e combate da fissuração são de importância fundamental em estruturas de concreto armado. Uma maneira de melhorar as propriedades do concreto à tração é pelo emprego de fibras. A presente pesquisa é uma tentativa de fornecer diretrizes para o dimensionamento de estruturas de concreto armado com fibras, e armadura convencional sob condições de serviço. Apresenta-se inicialmente, um estudo do comportamento do material à tração. Um modelo probabilístico/micro-mecânico fundamentado na mecânica de fratura, e capaz de prever o comportamento pós-fissuração do compósito é apresentado. O modelo prevê a relação tensão-abertura de fissura do compósito levando em conta os seguintes micro-mecanismos: travejamento de agregado e fibras, a ruptura das fibras, os efeitos de: atrito local (snubbing effect), esmagamento da matriz, Cook-Gordon, e da pré-tração das fibras. Em nível estrutural, dois modelos macro-mecânicos são apresentados. O primeiro modelo tem premissa na teoria clássica de fissura, e o segundo na mecânica de dado. O primeiro modelo é ajustado para aplicação na previsão de espaçamento e aberturas de fissura em estruturas de concreto armado com fibras discretas e aleatoriamente dispostas. É demostrado que o modelo micro-mecânico pode alimentar perfeitamente o modelo macro-mecânico. Ensaios de tração com elementos de placas de argamassa com fibras armada com tela ou fios foram realizados. Os resultados teóricos previstos pelo modelo foram comparados com os obtidos do programa experimental, e mostram uma boa concordância, comprovando a validade do modelo apresentado. / Due to the brittleness of concrete, the control and prevention of cracking in reinforced concrete structures are of prime importance. One way of improving the tensile properties of concrete is by the addition of fibres. The present research is a trial to provide guidelines for the design of fibre reinforced concrete structures under service loads. First of all, a study of the tensile behaviour of the composite material is presented. A probabilistic/fracture mechanics based micromechanical model, capable of predicting the poscracking behaviour of the material is presented. The model predicts the tensile stress-crack width relationship, accounting for the following micromechanisms: fibre and aggregate bridging, fibre rupture, local snubbing, matrix spalling, the Cook-Gordon interface effect, and fibre prestressing. At the structural level, two macromechanical models are presented. One is founded on the classical theory of cracking, while the other, a shear lag model, is founded on the continuum damage mechanics. The first model is adjusted for application to the prevision of crack width and crack spacing in fibre reinforced concrete structures with short discrete and randomly dispersed fibres. It is shown that the micromechanical model fits very well in the macrostructural model. Tensile tests with mortar specimens reinforced with continuous steel wires or meshes and PVA or polypropylene fibres were carried out. The theoretical results predicted by the model were compared with results obtained from the experimental program, and show very good agreement, confirming the validity of the theoretical model.

This thesis examines the development of a superstructure for a slab-on-girder wood-concrete composite highway bridge. Wood-concrete composite bridges have existed since the 1930's. Historically, they have been limited to spans of less than 10 m. Renewed research interest over the past two decades has shown great potential for longer span capabilities. Through composite action and suitable detailing, improvements in strength, stiffness, and durability can be achieved versus conventional wood bridges. The bridge makes use of a slender ultra-high performance fibre-reinforced concrete (UHPFRC) deck made partially-composite in longitudinal bending with glued-laminated wood girders. Longitudinal external unbonded post-tensioning is utilized to increase span capabilities. Prefabrication using double-T modules minimizes the need for cast-in-place concrete on-site. Durability is realized through the highly impermeable deck slab that protects the girders from moisture. Results show that the system can span up to 30 m while achieving span-to-depth ratios equivalent or better than competing slab-on-girder bridges.

This thesis examines the development of a superstructure for a slab-on-girder wood-concrete composite highway bridge. Wood-concrete composite bridges have existed since the 1930's. Historically, they have been limited to spans of less than 10 m. Renewed research interest over the past two decades has shown great potential for longer span capabilities. Through composite action and suitable detailing, improvements in strength, stiffness, and durability can be achieved versus conventional wood bridges. The bridge makes use of a slender ultra-high performance fibre-reinforced concrete (UHPFRC) deck made partially-composite in longitudinal bending with glued-laminated wood girders. Longitudinal external unbonded post-tensioning is utilized to increase span capabilities. Prefabrication using double-T modules minimizes the need for cast-in-place concrete on-site. Durability is realized through the highly impermeable deck slab that protects the girders from moisture. Results show that the system can span up to 30 m while achieving span-to-depth ratios equivalent or better than competing slab-on-girder bridges.

Devido à fragilidade do concreto, o controle e combate da fissuração são de importância fundamental em estruturas de concreto armado. Uma maneira de melhorar as propriedades do concreto à tração é pelo emprego de fibras. A presente pesquisa é uma tentativa de fornecer diretrizes para o dimensionamento de estruturas de concreto armado com fibras, e armadura convencional sob condições de serviço. Apresenta-se inicialmente, um estudo do comportamento do material à tração. Um modelo probabilístico/micro-mecânico fundamentado na mecânica de fratura, e capaz de prever o comportamento pós-fissuração do compósito é apresentado. O modelo prevê a relação tensão-abertura de fissura do compósito levando em conta os seguintes micro-mecanismos: travejamento de agregado e fibras, a ruptura das fibras, os efeitos de: atrito local (snubbing effect), esmagamento da matriz, Cook-Gordon, e da pré-tração das fibras. Em nível estrutural, dois modelos macro-mecânicos são apresentados. O primeiro modelo tem premissa na teoria clássica de fissura, e o segundo na mecânica de dado. O primeiro modelo é ajustado para aplicação na previsão de espaçamento e aberturas de fissura em estruturas de concreto armado com fibras discretas e aleatoriamente dispostas. É demostrado que o modelo micro-mecânico pode alimentar perfeitamente o modelo macro-mecânico. Ensaios de tração com elementos de placas de argamassa com fibras armada com tela ou fios foram realizados. Os resultados teóricos previstos pelo modelo foram comparados com os obtidos do programa experimental, e mostram uma boa concordância, comprovando a validade do modelo apresentado. / Due to the brittleness of concrete, the control and prevention of cracking in reinforced concrete structures are of prime importance. One way of improving the tensile properties of concrete is by the addition of fibres. The present research is a trial to provide guidelines for the design of fibre reinforced concrete structures under service loads. First of all, a study of the tensile behaviour of the composite material is presented. A probabilistic/fracture mechanics based micromechanical model, capable of predicting the poscracking behaviour of the material is presented. The model predicts the tensile stress-crack width relationship, accounting for the following micromechanisms: fibre and aggregate bridging, fibre rupture, local snubbing, matrix spalling, the Cook-Gordon interface effect, and fibre prestressing. At the structural level, two macromechanical models are presented. One is founded on the classical theory of cracking, while the other, a shear lag model, is founded on the continuum damage mechanics. The first model is adjusted for application to the prevision of crack width and crack spacing in fibre reinforced concrete structures with short discrete and randomly dispersed fibres. It is shown that the micromechanical model fits very well in the macrostructural model. Tensile tests with mortar specimens reinforced with continuous steel wires or meshes and PVA or polypropylene fibres were carried out. The theoretical results predicted by the model were compared with results obtained from the experimental program, and show very good agreement, confirming the validity of the theoretical model.