Os materiais cimentícios são materiais frágeis que apresentam resistências à tração e capacidades de deformação muito baixas. Uma das formas de contornar a fragilidade destes materiais é a utilização de fibras curtas, descontínuas e dispersas. Um exemplo destes materiais cimentícios são os produzidos com fibras de vidro, comumente denominados pela sigla GRC. Apesar dos diversos avanços apresentados na tecnologia do GRC, ele ainda apresenta uma degradação significativa das suas propriedades ao longo do seu envelhecimento. Além disso, por ser um material que começou a ser produzido em escala industrial há pouco tempo no Brasil, há uma carência de pesquisas que caracterizem os GRCs produzidos com materiais locais. Portanto, esta pesquisa veio com o objetivo geral de avaliar o GRC produzido com fibras de vidro álcali-resistente (tipo AR) e com os materiais disponíveis comercialmente na cidade de Porto Alegre com relação as suas propriedades mecânicas e durabilidade. Mais especificamente, estudou-se a influência do tamanho das fibras (35mm e 17,5mm), da adição de sílica ativa (5%) e metacaulim (5%, 10% e 15%), da relação agregado/cimento (1,00 e 1,10) e da idade (28, 42, 49 e 56 dias). As propriedades estudadas foram: limite de proporcionalidade (PEL), módulo de ruptura (MOR), índices de tenacidade (I5, I10 e I30), módulo de elasticidade na flexão (MEF), absorção de água (ABS), massa especifica (MES) e porosidade aparente (PAP). Além disso, utilizou-se um método acelerado de ataque em água a 50°C, em diversos períodos de ataque (14, 21 e 28 dias), para estudar o efeito do envelhecimento nas propriedades mecânicas do GRC. Os resultados mostraram que, enquanto algumas propriedades são majoritariamente dependentes da matriz, outras são fundamentalmente dependentes das propriedades do reforço. Apesar do aumento das fibras provocar melhorias na resistência última e na capacidade de absorção de energia do material, ele também gera pertubação naquelas propriedades que as características da matriz são mais relevantes devido ao fato das fibras dificultarem o adensamento do GRC. Com o uso de elevados teores de metacaulim, os compósitos produzidos com fibras curtas apresentaram MOR e índices de tenacidade elevados (também obtidos com fibras longas), mantendo o efeito benéfico do uso deste tamanho de fibras nas propriedades que dependem mais das matrizes. As propriedades majoritariamente dependentes das características das fibras (MOR, I5, I10 e I30) se mostraram muito sensíveis ao ataque. Ademais, o uso das adições pozolânicas não se mostrou capaz de reter tais propriedades para os tempos estudados. / The cementitious materials are fragile materials that show low tensile strengths and low capacity of deformation. One way of dealing with the fragility of these materials is the utilization of short, discontinuous and disperse fibres. One of these cementitious materials is the one usually called by the term GRC. Despite the advances of the GRC technology, this material shows high degradation of its properties throughout the life cycle. Besides that, the fact of being a material which has recently been produced in Brazil on a industrial scale, there is an enormous lack on researches about GRC produced with local materials. Therefore, this research was envisioned with the main objective of evaluating the GRC properties produced with alkali-resistent glass fibres (AR type) and with materials commercially available in Porto Alegre, analyzing its mechanical properties and durability. Specifically, it studied the influence of fibre length (35 mm and 17,5 mm), of silica fume (5%) and metakaolin addition (5%, 10% and 15%), of aggregate/cement relation (1,00 and 1,10) and of the age (28, 42, 49 and 56 days). The measured properties were: proportional limit (PEL), modulus of rupture (MOR), toughness indexes (I5, I10 and I30), modulus of elasticity in bending (MEF), water absorption (ABS), bulk density (MES) and apparent porosity (PAP). In addition, the mechanicals properties of GRC under the effect of ageing (stored in water at 50°C to accelerate the ageing) were investigated where the test were carried out after 14, 21 and 28 days of the accelerated ageing. The results showed that while some properties are mainly influenced by the matrix properties (PEL, MEF, ABS, MES and PAP), others are basically dependent on the fiber reinforcement properties (MOR, I5, I10 and I30). Despite the fact that GRC produced with greater fibre length showed increases at MOR and in energy absorption capacity, it lead to losses of those properties that are mainly influenced by the matrix because it is more difficult to consolidate this GRC. Furthermore, the addition of high contents of metakaolin in composites produced with short fibres leads to MOR and toughness indexes to the higher levels found (gotten with long fibres), keeping the benefic effect of using short fibres at the properties that are basically function of the matrix properties. The MOR, I5, I10 and I30 decreased when the GRC suffer accelerated ageing. The results also showed that the use of pozzolanic additions wasn't able to retain the mechanical properties of GRC throughout time

This Thesis investigates the damage sensing capabilities of the electrical potential measurement technique in carbon fibre reinforced polymer composites. Impact damage was introduced in multidirectional laminates and its effect on potential distribution studied. It was found that delaminations and fibre breakages within the laminate can be detected and located by measuring potential changes on the external composite surface. The extent and size of potential changes were significantly affected by the position of the current electrodes in relation to the potential measurement probes. A numerical model was developed investigating the effect of different size delaminations, located in various positions within the lamina, on electrical potential distributions on the external ply, and a quantitative analysis of the numerical results is presented. The numerical simulations demonstrated that the measured potential changes on the external ply were in proportion to the delamination size. The numerical and experimental results were compared and the optimum configuration of current electrodes and potential probes for damage detection selected. The response of electrical potential to mechanical strain, in unidirectional and multidirectional samples was also investigated. It was found that the conductive medium, used for introducing the current, defines the piezo-resistance performance of the composite. A finite element model was developed able to predict the effect of inhomogeneous current introduction in unidirectional specimens on electrical potential and piezo-resistance. The effects of temperature and water absorption on potential measurements were also presented.

Os materiais cimentícios são materiais frágeis que apresentam resistências à tração e capacidades de deformação muito baixas. Uma das formas de contornar a fragilidade destes materiais é a utilização de fibras curtas, descontínuas e dispersas. Um exemplo destes materiais cimentícios são os produzidos com fibras de vidro, comumente denominados pela sigla GRC. Apesar dos diversos avanços apresentados na tecnologia do GRC, ele ainda apresenta uma degradação significativa das suas propriedades ao longo do seu envelhecimento. Além disso, por ser um material que começou a ser produzido em escala industrial há pouco tempo no Brasil, há uma carência de pesquisas que caracterizem os GRCs produzidos com materiais locais. Portanto, esta pesquisa veio com o objetivo geral de avaliar o GRC produzido com fibras de vidro álcali-resistente (tipo AR) e com os materiais disponíveis comercialmente na cidade de Porto Alegre com relação as suas propriedades mecânicas e durabilidade. Mais especificamente, estudou-se a influência do tamanho das fibras (35mm e 17,5mm), da adição de sílica ativa (5%) e metacaulim (5%, 10% e 15%), da relação agregado/cimento (1,00 e 1,10) e da idade (28, 42, 49 e 56 dias). As propriedades estudadas foram: limite de proporcionalidade (PEL), módulo de ruptura (MOR), índices de tenacidade (I5, I10 e I30), módulo de elasticidade na flexão (MEF), absorção de água (ABS), massa especifica (MES) e porosidade aparente (PAP). Além disso, utilizou-se um método acelerado de ataque em água a 50°C, em diversos períodos de ataque (14, 21 e 28 dias), para estudar o efeito do envelhecimento nas propriedades mecânicas do GRC. Os resultados mostraram que, enquanto algumas propriedades são majoritariamente dependentes da matriz, outras são fundamentalmente dependentes das propriedades do reforço. Apesar do aumento das fibras provocar melhorias na resistência última e na capacidade de absorção de energia do material, ele também gera pertubação naquelas propriedades que as características da matriz são mais relevantes devido ao fato das fibras dificultarem o adensamento do GRC. Com o uso de elevados teores de metacaulim, os compósitos produzidos com fibras curtas apresentaram MOR e índices de tenacidade elevados (também obtidos com fibras longas), mantendo o efeito benéfico do uso deste tamanho de fibras nas propriedades que dependem mais das matrizes. As propriedades majoritariamente dependentes das características das fibras (MOR, I5, I10 e I30) se mostraram muito sensíveis ao ataque. Ademais, o uso das adições pozolânicas não se mostrou capaz de reter tais propriedades para os tempos estudados. / The cementitious materials are fragile materials that show low tensile strengths and low capacity of deformation. One way of dealing with the fragility of these materials is the utilization of short, discontinuous and disperse fibres. One of these cementitious materials is the one usually called by the term GRC. Despite the advances of the GRC technology, this material shows high degradation of its properties throughout the life cycle. Besides that, the fact of being a material which has recently been produced in Brazil on a industrial scale, there is an enormous lack on researches about GRC produced with local materials. Therefore, this research was envisioned with the main objective of evaluating the GRC properties produced with alkali-resistent glass fibres (AR type) and with materials commercially available in Porto Alegre, analyzing its mechanical properties and durability. Specifically, it studied the influence of fibre length (35 mm and 17,5 mm), of silica fume (5%) and metakaolin addition (5%, 10% and 15%), of aggregate/cement relation (1,00 and 1,10) and of the age (28, 42, 49 and 56 days). The measured properties were: proportional limit (PEL), modulus of rupture (MOR), toughness indexes (I5, I10 and I30), modulus of elasticity in bending (MEF), water absorption (ABS), bulk density (MES) and apparent porosity (PAP). In addition, the mechanicals properties of GRC under the effect of ageing (stored in water at 50°C to accelerate the ageing) were investigated where the test were carried out after 14, 21 and 28 days of the accelerated ageing. The results showed that while some properties are mainly influenced by the matrix properties (PEL, MEF, ABS, MES and PAP), others are basically dependent on the fiber reinforcement properties (MOR, I5, I10 and I30). Despite the fact that GRC produced with greater fibre length showed increases at MOR and in energy absorption capacity, it lead to losses of those properties that are mainly influenced by the matrix because it is more difficult to consolidate this GRC. Furthermore, the addition of high contents of metakaolin in composites produced with short fibres leads to MOR and toughness indexes to the higher levels found (gotten with long fibres), keeping the benefic effect of using short fibres at the properties that are basically function of the matrix properties. The MOR, I5, I10 and I30 decreased when the GRC suffer accelerated ageing. The results also showed that the use of pozzolanic additions wasn't able to retain the mechanical properties of GRC throughout time

Os materiais cimentícios são materiais frágeis que apresentam resistências à tração e capacidades de deformação muito baixas. Uma das formas de contornar a fragilidade destes materiais é a utilização de fibras curtas, descontínuas e dispersas. Um exemplo destes materiais cimentícios são os produzidos com fibras de vidro, comumente denominados pela sigla GRC. Apesar dos diversos avanços apresentados na tecnologia do GRC, ele ainda apresenta uma degradação significativa das suas propriedades ao longo do seu envelhecimento. Além disso, por ser um material que começou a ser produzido em escala industrial há pouco tempo no Brasil, há uma carência de pesquisas que caracterizem os GRCs produzidos com materiais locais. Portanto, esta pesquisa veio com o objetivo geral de avaliar o GRC produzido com fibras de vidro álcali-resistente (tipo AR) e com os materiais disponíveis comercialmente na cidade de Porto Alegre com relação as suas propriedades mecânicas e durabilidade. Mais especificamente, estudou-se a influência do tamanho das fibras (35mm e 17,5mm), da adição de sílica ativa (5%) e metacaulim (5%, 10% e 15%), da relação agregado/cimento (1,00 e 1,10) e da idade (28, 42, 49 e 56 dias). As propriedades estudadas foram: limite de proporcionalidade (PEL), módulo de ruptura (MOR), índices de tenacidade (I5, I10 e I30), módulo de elasticidade na flexão (MEF), absorção de água (ABS), massa especifica (MES) e porosidade aparente (PAP). Além disso, utilizou-se um método acelerado de ataque em água a 50°C, em diversos períodos de ataque (14, 21 e 28 dias), para estudar o efeito do envelhecimento nas propriedades mecânicas do GRC. Os resultados mostraram que, enquanto algumas propriedades são majoritariamente dependentes da matriz, outras são fundamentalmente dependentes das propriedades do reforço. Apesar do aumento das fibras provocar melhorias na resistência última e na capacidade de absorção de energia do material, ele também gera pertubação naquelas propriedades que as características da matriz são mais relevantes devido ao fato das fibras dificultarem o adensamento do GRC. Com o uso de elevados teores de metacaulim, os compósitos produzidos com fibras curtas apresentaram MOR e índices de tenacidade elevados (também obtidos com fibras longas), mantendo o efeito benéfico do uso deste tamanho de fibras nas propriedades que dependem mais das matrizes. As propriedades majoritariamente dependentes das características das fibras (MOR, I5, I10 e I30) se mostraram muito sensíveis ao ataque. Ademais, o uso das adições pozolânicas não se mostrou capaz de reter tais propriedades para os tempos estudados. / The cementitious materials are fragile materials that show low tensile strengths and low capacity of deformation. One way of dealing with the fragility of these materials is the utilization of short, discontinuous and disperse fibres. One of these cementitious materials is the one usually called by the term GRC. Despite the advances of the GRC technology, this material shows high degradation of its properties throughout the life cycle. Besides that, the fact of being a material which has recently been produced in Brazil on a industrial scale, there is an enormous lack on researches about GRC produced with local materials. Therefore, this research was envisioned with the main objective of evaluating the GRC properties produced with alkali-resistent glass fibres (AR type) and with materials commercially available in Porto Alegre, analyzing its mechanical properties and durability. Specifically, it studied the influence of fibre length (35 mm and 17,5 mm), of silica fume (5%) and metakaolin addition (5%, 10% and 15%), of aggregate/cement relation (1,00 and 1,10) and of the age (28, 42, 49 and 56 days). The measured properties were: proportional limit (PEL), modulus of rupture (MOR), toughness indexes (I5, I10 and I30), modulus of elasticity in bending (MEF), water absorption (ABS), bulk density (MES) and apparent porosity (PAP). In addition, the mechanicals properties of GRC under the effect of ageing (stored in water at 50°C to accelerate the ageing) were investigated where the test were carried out after 14, 21 and 28 days of the accelerated ageing. The results showed that while some properties are mainly influenced by the matrix properties (PEL, MEF, ABS, MES and PAP), others are basically dependent on the fiber reinforcement properties (MOR, I5, I10 and I30). Despite the fact that GRC produced with greater fibre length showed increases at MOR and in energy absorption capacity, it lead to losses of those properties that are mainly influenced by the matrix because it is more difficult to consolidate this GRC. Furthermore, the addition of high contents of metakaolin in composites produced with short fibres leads to MOR and toughness indexes to the higher levels found (gotten with long fibres), keeping the benefic effect of using short fibres at the properties that are basically function of the matrix properties. The MOR, I5, I10 and I30 decreased when the GRC suffer accelerated ageing. The results also showed that the use of pozzolanic additions wasn't able to retain the mechanical properties of GRC throughout time

It is widely known that Central Corneal Thickness (CCT) and Radius of Curvature (RoC) in uence the estimated IntraOcular Pressure (IOP) obtained from Goldmann Applanation Tonometry (GAT). However, not much is known about the in uence of corneal material properties, especially in a clinical setting. Several numerical studies have been conducted in an attempt to quantify the in uence of corneal material properties on the IOP. These studies agree that corneal material properties do in uence the estimated IOP, which contradict the initial premise on which GAT was designed, namely that material properties do not in uence the obtained GAT readings. Also, there is no consensus among these studies with respect to corneal material properties, thus a wide range of proposed properties exist. A possible explanation for this range of available corneal properties is the numerical modi elling assumptions used, which seem to be quite different. Different sets of experimental in ation test data were used to calibrate the constitutive models and different limbal boundary conditions were applied to simulate the experimental setup as well as in vivo conditions during GAT simulations. Therefore the purpose of this study is to determine whether these modelling assumptions in uence the obtained IOP and ultimately the overall conclusions. A Finite Element (FE) model of the human cornea is developed, implementing a constitutive model to represent the complex corneal structure and two limbal boundary conditions. This model is then calibrated using two different sets of experimental in ation test data. During calibration of the fibre reinforced elastic constitutive model it is found that independent of the assumptions made regarding the material coe cients, that the numerical in ation data compare well with the experimental data for all cases. Using this model a GAT simulation is conducted to estimate the IOP and the in uence of the modelling assumptions, cornea geometry and material properties are then investigated. The results indicate that the modelling assumptions, cornea geometry and material properties do infuence the estimated IOP. However, when assuming the cornea ground substance stiffness to be constant, it is found that the in uence on IOP due to material properties is not as significant. A correction equation is also proposed to account for the corneal geometric properties by calibrating the numerical model for a numerically normal cornea. This is done by utilising the various data sets which are obtained during the calibration of the constitutive model with the experimental inflation test data. It is concluded that using only inflation data to calibrate the constitutive model is not sufficient to uniquely describe the corneal material. This is evident as different material data sets are obtained, even though the experimental inflation data is matched well for a variety of considered cases. Each of these material data sets, in conjunction with geometric properties, yield different estimates for IOP during GAT simulations. This study therefore recommends the use of additional experimental data, such as strip extensometry, along with inflation test data to adequately calibrate a numerical model. It should also be noted that when modelling GAT care should be taken when considering the choice of limbal boundary condition, experimental data for calibration and assumptions made with regards to material coe cients, as these choices could potentially influence the outcomes and conclusions of a study. / Dissertation (MEng)--University of Pretoria, 2014. / gm2014 / Mechanical and Aeronautical Engineering / unrestricted

An innovative pavement system known as Ultra Thin Continuously Reinforced Concrete Pavement (UTCRCP) was recently developed in South Africa. The technology is currently being implemented on some major routes in the country. The system consists of a high performance fibre reinforced concrete pavement slab with a nominal thickness of approximately 50 mm. The material has a significant post crack stress capacity compared to plain concrete. Current design methods for UTCRCP are based on conventional linear elastic concrete pavement design methodology, which does not take into account post crack behaviour. Questions can be raised with regards to the suitability of conventional approaches for the design of this high performance material. The hypothesis of the study is that the accuracy of design models for UTCRCP can benefit from the adoption of fracture mechanics concepts. The experimental framework for this study includes fracture experiments under both monotonic and cyclic loading, on specimens of different sizes and geometries and produced from several mix designs. The aim is to quantify size effect in the high performance fibre reinforced concrete material, to determine fracture mechanics material parameters from monotonic tests, and to investigate the fatigue behaviour of the material. As part of the study a method is developed to obtain the full work of fracture from three point bending tests by means of extrapolation of the load-displacement tail. This allows the specific fracture energy (Gƒ) of the material to be determined. An adjusted tensile splitting test method is developed to determine the tensile strength (ƒτ) of the material. The values of Gƒ and ƒτ are used in the definition of a fracture mechanics based cohesive softening function. The final shape of the softening function combines a crack tip singularity with an exponential tail. The cohesive crack model is implemented in finite element methods to numerically simulate the fracture behaviour observed in the experiments. The numerical simulation provides reliable results for the different mixes, specimen sizes and geometries and predicts the size effect to occur. Fracture mechanics based models for the prediction of the fatigue performance of the material are proposed. The predictive performance of the models is compared against a model representing the conventional design approach. It is concluded that the findings of the study support the thesis that design methods for UTCRCP can benefit from the adoption of fracture mechanics concepts. This conclusion is mainly based on the following findings from the study: <ul><li> The high performance fibre reinforced concrete material was found to be subject to significant size effect. As a consequence the MOR parameter will not yield reliable predictions of the flexural capacity of full size pavement structures, </li><li> In contrast to the MOR parameter, the fracture mechanics damage models developed as part of this study do provide reliable predictions of the flexural behaviour of the material, </li><li> The fatigue model developed based on fracture mechanics concepts, though not necessarily more precise, is more accurate. </li></ul> / Thesis (PhD)--University of Pretoria, 2011. / Civil Engineering / PhD / Unrestricted

abstract: The use of reinforcing fibers in asphalt concrete (AC) has been documented in many studies. Published studies generally demonstrate positive benefits from using mechanically fiber reinforced asphalt concrete (M-FRAC); however, improvements generally vary with respect to the particular study. The widespread acceptance of fibers use in the asphalt industry is hindered by these inconsistencies. This study seeks to fulfill a critical knowledge gap by advancing knowledge of M-FRAC in order to better understand, interpret, and predict the behavior of these materials. The specific objectives of this dissertation are to; (a) evaluate the state of aramid fiber in AC and examine their impacts on the mechanical performance of asphalt mixtures; (b) evaluate the interaction of the reinforcement efficiency of fibers with compositions of asphalt mixtures; (c) evaluate tensile and fracture properties of M-FRAC; (d) evaluate the interfacial shear bond strength and critical fiber length in M-FRAC; and (e) propose micromechanical models for prediction of the tensile strength of M-FRAC. The research approach to achieve these objectives included experimental measurements and theoretical considerations. Throughout the study, the mechanical response of specimens with and without fibers are scrutinized using standard test methods including flow number (AASHTO T 378) and uniaxial fatigue (AASHTO TP 107), and non-standard test methods for fiber extraction, direct tension, semi-circular bending, and single fiber pull-out tests. Then, the fiber reinforcement mechanism is further examined by using the basic theories of viscoelasticity as well as micromechanical models. The findings of this study suggest that fibers do serve as a reinforcement element in AC; however, their reinforcing effectiveness depends on the state of fibers in the mix, temperature/ loading rate, properties of fiber (i.e. dosage, length), properties of mix type (gradation and binder content), and mechanical test type to characterize M-FRAC. The outcome of every single aforementioned elements identifies key reasons attributed to the fiber reinforcement efficiency in AC, which provides insights to justify the discrepancies in the literature and further recommends solutions to overcome the knowledge gaps. This improved insight will translate into the better deployment of existing fiber-based technologies; the development of new, and more effective fiber-based technologies in asphalt mixtures. / Dissertation/Thesis / Doctoral Dissertation Civil, Environmental and Sustainable Engineering 2020

The dominant reinforcement used widely for concrete structures is conventional steel bars (rebars). Nevertheless, the perpetual effort toward evolution and development could not exclude the engineering field, thus new innovative and sophisticated methods are introduced. It is true that, due to lack of extended regulations and standards, the fibre reinforced concrete (FRC) was limited to non-structural applications. However, the last years the situation is changing rapidly and already the applications of FRC include actual structural members. The subject of the current thesis was a tramway’s track slab from “Sparvag City” project in Stockholm. The aim was to evaluate the track slab, in terms of alternative reinforcing ways. In particular three models were examined; model I – conventional reinforcement, model II – steel fibre reinforced concrete (SFRC) and model III – SFRC with conventional reinforcement. The assessment was performed from structural, regulations – compliance, economic and ergonomic perspective. A static linear analysis of the track slab was performed using Abaqus; a finite element analysis (FEA) software. The track slab was subjected only to mechanical loads (selfweight and traffic actions) and thus, the design internal forces were extracted. Thereafter, Eurocode 2 (EN 1992-1-1, 2004) and Swedish standards for FRC structures (SS 812310:2014) were utilized for the reinforcement design of the models. The design was performed in ultimate limit state (ULS), for bending moment and shear resistance, and in serviceability limit state (SLS), for stress limitation and crack control. Model I and III were successfully designed abiding with the respective regulations and requirements, while “only fibres” model was considered valid only for bending moment resistance according to SS 812310:2014. Consequently only models I and III were compared with each other. From the economic comparison it was obtained that model I was less expensive than model III, but on the other hand its construction time was larger. Furthermore model III contained significantly less total rebars’ mass in comparison to model I. This particularity was crucial for the ergonomic assessment. The human factors, that were relevant to the ergonomic assessment, improved the quality of the comparison and the extracted inferences, but also introduced aspects impossible to be put against economic facts as an equal quantity. Thus, there was not a final proposal as the best solution for the thesis subject. / Armeringen av betongkonstruktioner domineras av konventionell armering (armeringsjärn). Med den ständiga strävan mot utveckling och förbättring har inom teknikområdet nya innovativa och avancerade metoder introducerats. Det är på grund av bristen på normer, standarder som fiberarmerad betong begränsats till icke- bärande ändamål. Däremot har situationen förändrats under de senaste åren, redan idag kan man se konstruktioner där fiberarmering används till bärande ändamål. Amnet for den aktuella masterexamen var betongplatta i projektet ”Sparvag City” i Stockholm. Syftet var att utvärdera betongplattan, i form av att undersöka alternativa armeringsmöjligheter. I synnerhet undersöktes tre modeller; modell I- konventionellt armerad platta, modell IIstålfiberarmerad platta och modell III stålfiberarmerad platta kombinerad med konventionell armering. Modellernas möjligheter att uppfylla regelverkens krav undersöktes, men de jämfördes även ur ekonomiskt samt ergonomiskt perspektiv. En statisk linjär analys av betongplattan genomfördes i ett finit element program, Abaqus. Betongplattan utsattes för mekanisk belastning (egenvikt samt trafiklast) för vilken dimensionerande krafter extraherats. Därefter användes Eurocode 2 (EN 1992-1-1, 2004) och den svenska standarden för fiberarmerade betong konstruktioner (SS 812310:2014) för vidare konstruktionsberäkningar. Konstruktionsberäkningarna för betongplattan genomfördes i brottgränstillstånd för böjmoment samt tvärkraft, i brukgränsmotståndet undersöktes betongplattan för spänningsbegränsningar samt sprickkontroll. Konstruktionsberäkningarna kunde genomföras för modell I och III med de existerande föreskrifterna och kraven, men modellen med ”endast fibrer” kunde endast dimensionerna för böjmoment enligt SS 812310:2014. Därför kunde endast modell I och III fortsättningsvis jämföras med varandra. Från den ekonomiska jämförelsen erhölls det att modellen I var billigare än modell III, men att konstruktionstiden var längre. Dessutom var behoven för konventionell armering (armeringsjärn) betydligt mindre för modell III till skillnad från modell I. Modellernas innehåll av konventionell armering var avgörande för den ergonomiska bedömningen. Den mänskliga faktorn, som var relevanta för den ergonomiska bedömningens, gav jämförelsen av modellerna en annan dimension, där de viktiga mänskliga faktorerna

I samband med EU-direktivs mål att reducera energikonsumtionen med 20 % fram till år 2020 har kraven i Boverkets byggregler skärpts för energianvändningen i Sverige. Dessa krav håller den totala energiförbrukningen i sektorn bostäder och service på jämn nivå trots att det sker en ständig ökning av antalet bostäder.   Syftet med detta arbete är att undersöka om det finns möjlighet till att minimera energiförluster i infästningen mellan inspända balkonger och bjälklaget. Detta utfördes för att ge samtliga aktörer inom byggbranschen en uppfattning om hur stor inverkan en optimering av de oftast försummade detaljerna i ett projekt har.   Glasfiberförstärkta polymerplaster (GFRP) isolerar ca 120 gånger bättre än konstruktionsstål och klarar samtidigt av att ta upp dragkrafter i en betongkonstruktion om de formas som armeringsstänger. Från ett urval har flera GFRP produkter granskats där ComBAR har valts att studeras och kontrolleras som en ersättningsprodukt för stålarmering i balkonginfästningar. ComBAR uppfyller samtliga konstruktionskrav för att fungera som armering i betong och har egenskaper som är att föredra framför stål vilket även gör den användbar i flera andra konstruktionsdelar i en byggnad eller anläggning.   Utförandet av beräkningar och analyser är indelat i tre delar som är analys av byggstatik för att bestämma den erforderlig armering i balkonginfästningen, simulering av energiflöde mellan balkongen och bjälklaget samt ekonomisk kalkyl för att uppskatta avkastningstiden. I den ekonomiska kalkylen knyts resultaten ihop från analysen av byggstatik och beräkning av energiflödet för att sedan kunna avgöra om en investering är lönsam.   Ur resultaten från analysen av byggstatik som består av handberäkningar och simuleringar i beräkningsprogrammen Concrete Beam och FEM-Design kan vi dra slutsatsen att det behövs en armeringsstång mindre av ComBAR än stål för att bära upp balkongen i studien. Ur statisk synpunkt är det lämpligt att använda glasfiberbaserade armeringsstänger i balkonginfästningen. Energiflödesberäkningarna har utförts i programmet Comsol för att erhålla ett noggrant resultat på energiflödet igenom infästningen. Återbetalningstiden på över 100 år för det pris som ComBAR ligger på i dagsläget anses inte vara rimligt och det behövs en halvering av priset innan det kan komma på tal att användas.

Stable Unbonded Fibre Reinforced Elastomeric Isolators (SU-FREI) have been investigated extensively for seismic applications, with over 20 years of literature supporting their use in isolation of structures as an alternative to conventional Steel Reinforced Elastomeric Isolators (SREI). Preliminary investigations have been conducted into their potential use as bridge bearings, where they could provide an alternative to unreinforced and steel reinforced elastomeric bearings. SU-FREI offer a number of potential advantages in this application relative to SREI, including compactness due to thinner reinforcement layers, ease of installation, rotational tolerances, and ease of manufacture. Recently, SU-FREI have been installed under certain highway bridges along the 407 ETR where the previous unreinforced elastomeric bearings had experienced failure. Monitoring has been conducted by Associated Engineering for the 407 ETR Corporation. Data was collected from this monitoring program and field visits have been conducted to observe the condition of the bearings. The original design process used for the SU-FREI bearings has also been reviewed. The monitoring data was compared against design calculations, and the behavior of the SU-FREI analysed to determine whether they meet performance expectations and are suitable for further use as bridge bearings. It was found that some SU-FREI had experienced degradation, including the appearance of an unidentified liquid. The causes of deterioration were investigated and postulated to be primarily related to design limitations imposed by the geometry of the bridges, original design calculation assumptions, and installation issues. Where these factors were not present, the SU-FREI bearings were found to have experienced little to no deterioration. Furthermore, it was determined through comparative design calculations that the FREI outperformed equivalent SREI with regard to rotational capacity. Recommendations have been developed for future deployment of SU-FREI as bridge bearings. Based on the results of initial deployments, larger-scale employment of SU-FREI in this application should be considered. / Thesis / Master of Applied Science (MASc) / Concrete and steel bridges deform due to temperature changes, traffic motion, and other factors. To allow these deformations without inducing large forces or damage, bearings are employed between the bridge deck and supports. One type of bearing consists of alternating layers of rubber and steel: steel strengthens the bearing, while the rubber provides lateral and rotational flexibility. A relatively new type of bearing has been developed and tested that replaces the steel layers with carbon fibre. Recently, several of these new SU-FREI bearings have been installed on actual highway bridges. The focus of this thesis is on the performance of SU-FREI installed as bridge bearings. The goal was to observe their performance, identify any unexpected behavior, and create recommendations for future consideration whenever SU-FREI are to be used as bridge bearings. Generally, it was found that their performance is satisfactory provided they are designed and used appropriately.