Abstract: The use of self-consolidating concrete (SCC) in the concrete industry in cast-in-place applications, including repair applications, is growing given the various advantages offered in both fresh and hardened states. The present study deals with the design and performance of fiber-reinforced self-consolidating concrete (FR-SCC) as a repair material of concrete infrastructure. The study also considers the use of various steel and synthetic fibers (five fibers in total) that were used to produce FR-SCC and fiber-reinforced self-consolidating mortar (FR-SCM) that can be employed for structural and non-structural repair applications. The study evaluates the effect of material properties and mixture composition of the fibrous concrete and mortar on workability, mechanical, visco-elastic, durability, and structural behavior. The investigation that is presented in this thesis included the testing of 28 full-scale beams under four-point flexural loading. The majority of these beams were repaired by casting concrete to fill a relatively thin section along the tension zone of the beams. The repair technique was based on the FR-SCC characteristics including the maximum fiber volume and length. This technique required mixtures of high range of fluidity. The optimized FR-SCC and FR-SCM mixtures exhibited excellent flow characteristics along the 3.2-m long beams without blockage, segregation, nor debonding at the interface of repair-substrate concrete. Based on the structural characteristics of the composite beams, the overall performance of the beams repaired using the FR-SCC and FR-SCM was similar or higher (up to 2.6 times) than that of monolithic beams made with conventional vibrated concrete (CVC). The use of optimized FRSCC mixtures enabled the replacement of 50% of the tension steel reinforcement in repair sections; i.e., the number of bars in the tension zone decreased from three bars to two bars with the addition of fibers in the SCC without mitigating structural performance. The degree of prediction of crack width, cracking load/moment, ultimate loads, and deflection of various FR-SCC and FR-SCM mixture was evaluated using several design and code models. The results indicate that these code models can provide safe predictions for crack and ultimate loads, as well as crack width of FR-SCC. The deflection of FR-SCC is unsafe but predictable by these code models. In total, 18 large-scale beams were tested in four-point for flexural creep. FR-SCC incorporating steel fibers combined with expansive agent provided overall performance up to 10 times of that obtained with CVC with the same fiber type and volume. The cracking under constant load was reduced by 60% to 80% using self-consolidating fibrous mixtures made with or without expansion agents, compared to SCC without fibers. The best combination to reduce the cracking potential when the restrained shrinkage ring test was employed was obtained with SCC mixtures made with steel fibers and expansive agent. Models were elaborated to predict the time-to-cracking for FR-SCC and FR-SCM mixtures based on mixture modulus of elasticity and drying and autogenous shrinkages. The project involved extensive testing of highly flowable fibrous materials to determine drying shrinkage (nearly 260 prisms), modulus of rupture (nearly 180 prisms), as well as compressive and splitting tensile strengths and elastic modulus (nearly 2100 cylinders). Based on the results, models were proposed to predict these key material properties that affect the performance of FR-SCC and FR-SCM used in repair applications. In addition to FR-SCC, the investigation also was set to evaluate the feasibility of using fiber-reinforced superworkable concrete (FR-SWC) in construction and repair applications. Such highly flowable concrete that requires limited vibration consolidation can represent some advantages over FR-SCC (lower admixtures demand, lower risk of segregation, greater robustness, lower formwork pressure, etc.). The energy needed to ensure proper consolidation, using either vibration or rodding, applied on samples made with FR-SWC was determined. The energy requirement took into consideration the development of mechanical properties, the resistance to segregation, and the development of proper surface quality. The study also demonstrated the higher overall structural performance of optimized FR-SWC compared to the corresponding FR-SCC mixtures. The findings of the thesis on the design and performance of highly workable fiber-reinforced cementitious materials should facilitate the acceptance of such novel high-performance material in infrastructure construction and repair applications. // Résumé: L'utilisation du béton autoplaçant (BAP) dans l'industrie du béton dans les applications du coulage sur place incluant les applications de la réparation, est en croissance vu les divers avantages offerts à l'état frais et à l'état durci. La présente étude traite de la conception et la performance des bétons autoplaçants fibrés (BAPF) en tant que matériau de réparation des infrastructures en béton. L'étude considère également l'usage de différentes fibres métalliques et synthétiques (cinq fibres au total) qui ont été utilisées pour produire des BAPF et des mortiers autoplaçants fibrés (MAPF) pour des applications de réparations structurales et non structurales. L'étude évalue l'effet des propriétés du matériau et la composition des bétons et mortiers fibrés sur l'ouvrabilité, les propriétés mécaniques, viscoélastiques, de durabilité et le comportement structural. L'étude présentée dans cette thèse a inclus 28 poutres à grande échelle testées sous un chargement flexionnel à quatre points. La majorité de ces poutres a été réparée par le coulage du béton pour remplir une section relativement mince tout au long de la zone tendue des poutres. La technique de réparation a été basée sur les caractéristiques des BAPF incluant le volume maximal et la longueur maximale de fibres. Cette technique a requis des mélanges de haut niveau de fluidité. Les BAPF et MAPF ont exhibé d'excellentes caractéristiques d'écoulement le long de 3,2 m, la longueur de la poutre, sans blocage, ségrégation, ni décollement à l'interface entre le béton de base et le béton de réparation. En se basant sur les caractéristiques structurales des poutres composites, la performance globale des poutres réparées en utilisant les BAPF et les MAPF était similaire ou supérieure (jusqu'à 2,6 fois) que celle des poutres monolithiques fabriquées d'un béton conventionnel vibré (BCV). L'utilisation des mélanges de BAPF optimisés a permis de remplacer 50% du ferraillage tendu dans les sections de réparation; c'est-à-dire que le nombre des barres d'armatures dans la zone tendue a réduit de trois barres à deux barres avec l'addition de fibres dans le BAP sans mitiger la performance structurale. Le degré de prédiction de la largeur de fissures, charge de fissuration, charge ultime et déflexion de différents mélanges de BAPF et MAPF a été évalué en utilisant quelques designs et modèles de codes. Les résultats ont montré que ces modèles ont pu fournir de prédictions sécuritaires pour les charges de fissuration et ultime, ainsi que la fissuration des BAPF. La déflexion des BAPF est non sécuritaire mais reste prédictible par ces modèles de codes. En total, 18 poutres à grande échelle ont été testées en fluage flexionnel de quatre points. Des BAPF contenant des fibres métalliques combinées avec un agent expansif ont fourni une performance globale jusqu'à 10 fois celle obtenue avec un BCV contenant le même type et volume de fibres. La fissuration sous une charge constante a été réduite de 60% à 80% en utilisant des mélanges autoplaçants fibrés fabriqués avec ou sans agents expansifs, par rapport au BAP sans fibres. La meilleure combinaison pour réduire le potentiel de fissuration avec l'essai du retrait restreint a été obtenue avec des mélanges de BAP contenant de fibres d'acier et un agent expansif. Des modèles ont été élaborés pour prédire le temps de fissuration des mélanges de BAPF et MAPF basés sur le module d'élasticité du mélange et les retraits de séchage et endogène. Le projet comportait de nombreux essais sur les mélanges fibrés de haute fluidité à savoir la détermination du retrait de séchage (près de 260 prismes), le module de rupture (près de 180 prismes), ainsi que la résistance en compression, la résistance en traction et le module d'élasticité (plus de 2100 cylindres). En se basant sur les résultats, des modèles ont été proposés pour prédire ces propriétés clés qui affectent la performance des BAPF et MAPF destinés aux applications de réparation. En plus des BAPF, l'étude a aussi été faite pour évaluer la faisabilité de l'utilisation des bétons semi-fluides fibrés (BSFF) dans les applications de construction et de réparation. Tels bétons de haute fluidité requérant une consolidation limitée peuvent présenter certains avantages par rapport aux BAPF (plus faible demande en adjuvants, plus faible risque de ségrégation, robustesse supérieure, plus faible pression sur les coffrages, etc.). L'énergie nécessaire pour assurer une propre consolidation, en utilisant soit la vibration ou le piquage, appliquée sur des échantillons de BSFF a été déterminée. Les exigences de cette énergie considèrent le développement des propriétés mécaniques, la résistance à la ségrégation et la propre qualité de surface. L'étude a aussi démontré une performance structurale globale supérieure des BSFF optimisés par rapport aux mélanges de BAPF correspondant. Les conclusions de la thèse sur le design et la performance des matériaux cimentaires renforcés de fibres et de haute fluidité devraient faciliter l'acceptation de tels nouveaux matériaux de haute performance dans les applications de la construction et la réparation des infrastructures.

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

It is important to ensure that vulnerable structures (federal and provincial offices, military structures, embassies, etc) are blast resistant to safeguard life and critical infrastructure. In the wake of recent malicious attacks and accidental explosions, it is becoming increasingly important to ensure that columns in structures are properly detailed to provide the ductility and continuity necessary to prevent progressive collapse. Research has shown that steel fibre reinforced concrete (SFRC) can enhance many of the properties of concrete, including improved post-cracking tensile capacity, enhanced shear resistance, and increased ductility. The enhanced properties of SFRC make it an ideal candidate for use in the blast resistant design of structures. There is limited research on the behaviour of SFRC under high strain rates, including impact and blast loading, and some of this data is conflicting, with some researchers showing that the additional ductility normally evident in SFRC is absent or reduced at high strain loading. On the other hand, other data indicates that SFRC can improve toughness and energy-absorption capacity under extreme loading conditions. This thesis presents the results of experimental research involving tests of scaled reinforced concrete columns exposed to shock wave induced impulsive loads using the University of Ottawa Shock Tube. A total of 13 half-scale steel fibre reinforced concrete columns, 8 with normal strength steel fibre reinforced concrete (SFRC) and 5 with an ultra high performance fibre reinforced concrete (UHPFRC), were constructed and tested under simulated blast pressures. The columns were designed according to CSA A23.3 standards for both seismic and non-seismic regions, using various fibre amounts and types. Each column was exposed to similar shock wave loads in order to provide direct comparisons between seismic and non-seismically detailed columns, amount of steel fibres, type of steel fibres, and type of concrete. The dynamic response of the columns tested in the experimental program is predicted by generating dynamic load-deformation resistance functions for SFRC and UHPFRC columns and using single degree of freedom dynamic analysis software, RCBlast. The analytical results are compared to experimental data, and shown to accurately predict the maximum mid-span displacements of the fibre reinforced concrete columns under shock wave loading.

L’objectif de cette thèse est d’étudier l’influence de la température sur la thixotropie des bétons autoplaçants (BAP). L’intérêt de ce travail s’inscrit dans la perspective d’optimiser les formulations des BAP dans une large gamme de température. Un plan factoriel composite centré a été adopté dans le but de minimiser le nombre d’essais tout en étudiant les effets des facteurs (température et dosage en agent de viscosité (AV)) et leurs interactions sur les propriétés rhéologiques des BAP.La première phase de l’étude consistait à quantifier la thixotropie du béton juste après le malaxage et durant la période dormante en fonction du dosage en AV à des températures comprises entre 11.3 et 30.7°C selon le protocole proposé par Wallevik sur le rhéomètre BML4. Les résultats ont montré que l’indice de thixotropie présente un minimum respectivement pour un dosage en AV de 0.28 % (par rapport à la masse d’eau) et une température de 24°C. Cependant, ce protocole ne permet pas d’étudier la déstructuration des BAP, facteur recherché par exemple dans les coulages multicouches. Nous avons donc été amenés à retenir un protocole utilisé dans les gels et appelé protocole Dolz. L’application de ce dernier aux pâtes de ciment et aux BAP a permis de mettre en évidence une nouvelle grandeur, le potentiel de déstructuration K. Les valeurs du potentiel K montrent qu’au delà d’un certain dosage en AV et d’une certaine température, apparaissent des phénomènes d’encombrement qui réduisent le potentiel K. Ainsi, le potentiel K apporte des informations complémentaires pour l’aide à la sélection de dosages adéquats du couple superplastifiant – agent de viscosité en fonction de la température de coulage. / The aim of this thesis was to study the influence of the temperature on the thixotropy of self-consolidating concrete (SCC). The research significance comes within the perspective to optimize the design of SCC in a wide range temperature. A factorial composite experimental plan was carried out in order to minimize the total number of tests while studying the effects of factors (temperature and dosage of viscosity modifying admixture (VMA)) and their interactions on the rheological properties of SCC. The first phase of the study was to quantify the thixotropy of concrete proportioned with various dosage of VMA at different temperatures ranging from 11.3 to 30.7°C just after mixing and at different time during the dormant period using the protocol proposed by Wallevik in BML4 rheometer. The results indicated that the values of thixotropy index present a minimum respectively with a VMA dosage of 0.28 % (by mass of water) and a temperature of 24°C.On the other hand, this protocol does not allow studying the destructuration of SCC, useful factor needed for example in the multi-layer casting. We therefore had to retain a protocol used in gels and called Dolz protocol. The application of this last to cement pastes and SCC has revealed a new grandeur, the potential of destructuration K. The values of K show that beyond a certain dosage in VMA and a certain temperature, the congestion phenomena appear that reduce the potential K. In this case, the potential of destructuration provides complementary information to assist in the selection of appropriate dosages of couple superlasticizer-VMA whatever the casting temperature may be.

Att gjuta med betong under vatten är utmanande, och det ställs höga krav på både betongen och utförandet för att resultatet ska bli bra. Peab Anläggning har uppmärksammat en del problem med denna typ av gjutningar och ville därför tydliggöra problematiken för att öka chansen för bra resultat vid framtida undervattensgjutningar. Problemen bestod dels av gjutskador på den färdiga betongkonstruktionen, och dels av problem med betongen under gjutningens gång i form av skum och separation. Examensarbetet sammanställer svårigheterna med undervattensgjutning med självkompakterande betong (SKB) och undersöker vilka faktorer som påverkar det färdiga gjutresultatet. Detta har gjorts genom en litteraturstudie, intervjuer med kunniga personer inom ämnet samt besök på arbetsplatser där undervattensgjutningar utförts. De svårigheter som identifierats delas in under fyra huvudrubriker; planering inför gjutning, betong, form samt utförande. Planeringen inför gjutningen är mycket viktig men svår då många faktorer måste tas hänsyn till, såsom väder och trafik. För att minimera risken för oönskade gjutuppehåll krävs det även en förberedande plan med lösningar på problem som kan uppstå under gjutdagen. Svårigheten med färsk betong är att det är ett levande och därmed oförutsägbart material. Det är nödvändigt att betongen har god sammanhållning så att betongens cementpasta inte vaskas ut i vattnet. Det är även viktigt att betongen har rätt konsistens för att kunna omsluta all armering och fylla ut hela formen. Betongen testas när den kommer till arbetsplatsen. Bland annat kontrolleras betongens lufthalt samt homogenitet och flytbarhet, det senare med hjälp av flytsättmått. Det är viktigt att ta hänsyn till dessa kontroller och att ta beslutet att inte gjuta med dålig betong. Det ställs även höga krav på formen vid undervattensgjutningar. Den måste vara helt tät och byggas på rätt sätt så att skum och bottenslam kan rinna ut ur formen. En svårighet är att dykarna behöver utföra en del av formbyggandet under vattenytan. Utförandet är en stor utmaning, då arbetsmomentet är komplicerat och man gjuter i blindo. Metoden går ut på att betong pumpas ner under vattenytan genom ett betongrör med en undervattensventil. Under gjutningens gång är det viktigt att rörets mynning hela tiden är under betongytan och att gjutröret hålls vertikalt. Slutligen är det värt att nämna att litteraturen som finns idag om undervattensgjutningar är bristfällig, något som gör det svårt att lära sig om ämnet. De förslag på lösningar som grundas på slutsatsen är att all betong som kommer till arbetsplatsen bör testas, trots att det inte alltid är ett krav. Detta så att ett beslut kan tas kring varje enskilt betonglass om betongen är godkänd att gjuta med. För att öka chansen att betongen har önskade egenskaper är det viktigt att betongbilen som levererar betongen till arbetsplatsen är ren och inte innehåller rester av annan betong. Det krävs under hela arbetet en god kommunikation mellan både pumpmaskinist, dykare och arbetsledning för att de gemensamt ska kunna lösa eventuella problem som uppstår. Slutligen rekommenderas att ta hjälp av varandra och dra nytta av den kompetens och erfarenhet som finns inom företaget. / Casting with concrete under water is challenging, and requires high standards on both the concrete and the work practice to achieve good results. Peab noticed problems with this type of casting, and wanted to clarify the difficulties to increase the chance of good results with future underwater castings. The problems were injuries on the finished concrete structure and troubles with the concrete during casting such as foam and separation in the concrete. This paper compiles the difficulties with underwater casting with self-consolidating concrete (SCC) and investigates the factors that affect the final result. This has been done through interviews with experienced people, a literature review and visits to construction site that performed underwater casting. This paper identifies four main issues; pre-casting planning, concrete quality, form and work procedure. The planning is very important but difficult, as many factors need to be considered, such as weather, land traffic and boat traffic. In order to minimize the risk of unwanted breaks during casting, it is good to have a preparatory plan with solutions to problems that may occur. The difficulty with concrete is that it's a living, and thus unpredictable, material. It is very important that the concrete has good cohesion so that the concrete's cement paste is not washed out in the water. It is also necessary that the concrete has good consistency to ensure it will enclose all reinforcement and fill in the entire form. The concrete is tested when it arrives to the construction site. Among other things, the air content as well as homogeneity and flowability are controlled, the latter controlled by a slump flow test. It is important to take these controls into consideration, and to make the decision not to cast with bad concrete. The requirements on the form used during underwater casting are high. It must be completely dense and properly constructed so that foam and sludge can flow out of the form. One difficulty is that the divers sometimes need to build parts of the form under the water. The work practice is challenging as it's complicated and done blindly. The used method is to pump concrete under the water surface through a concrete pipe with an underwater valve. During the casting process, the mouth of the pipe must always be below the concrete surface and the casting tube should be kept vertically. Finally, it is worth mentioning that the literature available today about underwater casting is inadequate, which makes it difficult to learn about the subject. The suggested solutions presented in the report are that all concrete coming to the construction site should be tested, even though it is not always a requirement. Thus, the decision of whether the concrete had a high enough quality for casting would be made for each delivery. In order to increase the chances of the concrete having desired properties, it is important that the truck delivering concrete to the construction site is clean and does not contain residues of a different concrete. Throughout the work, a good communication between pump operator, diver and management is needed to jointly solve problems. At last, it is recommended to help each other and take advantage of the expertise and experience within the company.

Self-consolidating concrete (SCC) has wide use for placement in congested reinforced concrete structures in recent years. SCC represents one of the most outstanding advances in concrete technology during the last two decades. In the current work a great deal of cognizance pertaining to mechanical properties of SCC and comparison of fracture characteristics of notched and unnotched beams of plain concrete as well as using acoustic emission to understand the localization of crack patterns at different stages has been done. An artificial neural network (ANN) is proposed to predict the 28day compressive strength of a normal and high strength of SCC and HPC with high volume fly ash. The ANN is trained by the data available in literature on normal volume fly ash because data on SCC with high volume fly ash is not available in sufficient quantity. Fracture characteristics of notched and unnotched beams of plain self consolidating concrete using acoustic emission to understand the localization of crack patterns at different stages has been done. Considering this as a platform, further analysis has been done using moment tensor analysis as a new notion to evaluate fracture characteristics in terms of crack orientation, direction of crack propagation at nano and micro levels. Analysis of B-value (b-value based on energy) is also carried out, and this has introduced to a new idea of carrying out the analysis on the basis of energy which gives a clear picture of results when compared with the analysis carried out using amplitudes. Further a new concept is introduced to analyze crack smaller than micro (could be hepto cracks) in solid materials. Each crack formation corresponds to an AE event and is processed and analyzed for crack orientation, crack volume at hepto and micro levels using moment tensor analysis based on energy. Cracks which are tinier than microcracks (could be hepto), are formed in large numbers at very early stages of loading prior to peak load. The volume of hepto and micro cracks is difficult to measure physically, but could be characterized using AE data in moment tensor analysis based on energy. It is conjectured that the ratio of the volume of hepto to that of micro could reach a critical value which could be an indicator of onset of microcracks after the formation of hepto cracks.

When subjected to a combination of moment and shear force, a reinforced concrete (RC) beam with either little or no transverse reinforcement can fail in shear before reaching its full flexural strength. This type of failure is sudden in nature and usually disastrous because it does not give sufficient warning prior to collapse. To prevent this type of shear failure, reinforced concrete beams are traditionally reinforced with stirrups. However, the use of stirrups is not always cost effective since it increases labor costs, and can make casting concrete difficult in situations where closely-spaced stirrups are required. The use of steel fiber reinforced concrete (SFRC) could be considered as a potential alternative to the use of traditional shear reinforcement. Concrete is very weak and brittle in tension, SFRC transforms this behaviour and improves the diagonal tension capacity of concrete and thus can result in significant enhancements in shear capacity. However, one of the drawbacks associated with SFRC is that the addition of fibers to a regular concrete mix can cause problems in workability. The use of self-consolidating concrete (SCC) is an innovative solution to this problem and can result in improved workability when fibers are added to the mix. The thesis presents the experimental results from tests on twelve slender self-consolidating fiber reinforced concrete (SCFRC) beams tested under four-point loading. The results demonstrate the combined use of SCC and steel fibers can improve the shear resistance of reinforced concrete beams, enhance crack control and can promote flexural ductility. Despite extensive research, there is a lack of accurate and reliable design guidelines for the use of SFRC in beams. This study presents a rational model which can accurately predict the shear resistance of steel fiber reinforced concrete beams. The thesis also proposes a safe and reliable equation which can be used for the shear design of SFRC beams.

When subjected to a combination of moment and shear force, a reinforced concrete (RC) beam with either little or no transverse reinforcement can fail in shear before reaching its full flexural strength. This type of failure is sudden in nature and usually disastrous because it does not give sufficient warning prior to collapse. To prevent this type of shear failure, reinforced concrete beams are traditionally reinforced with stirrups. However, the use of stirrups is not always cost effective since it increases labor costs, and can make casting concrete difficult in situations where closely-spaced stirrups are required. The use of steel fiber reinforced concrete (SFRC) could be considered as a potential alternative to the use of traditional shear reinforcement. Concrete is very weak and brittle in tension, SFRC transforms this behaviour and improves the diagonal tension capacity of concrete and thus can result in significant enhancements in shear capacity. However, one of the drawbacks associated with SFRC is that the addition of fibers to a regular concrete mix can cause problems in workability. The use of self-consolidating concrete (SCC) is an innovative solution to this problem and can result in improved workability when fibers are added to the mix. The thesis presents the experimental results from tests on twelve slender self-consolidating fiber reinforced concrete (SCFRC) beams tested under four-point loading. The results demonstrate the combined use of SCC and steel fibers can improve the shear resistance of reinforced concrete beams, enhance crack control and can promote flexural ductility. Despite extensive research, there is a lack of accurate and reliable design guidelines for the use of SFRC in beams. This study presents a rational model which can accurately predict the shear resistance of steel fiber reinforced concrete beams. The thesis also proposes a safe and reliable equation which can be used for the shear design of SFRC beams.

[pt] No presente trabalho foi investigado o comportamento mecânico de um concreto autoadensável reforçado com fibras de aço. Foram utilizadas fibras de aço torcidas e com ganchos, nos comprimentos de 25, 30 e 60 mm e diâmetros de 0,5, 0,62 e 0,75 mm. Para cada uma destas fibras e para cada uma das frações volumétricas investigadas (0,5, 1,0 e 2,0 por cento) foram realizados os ensaios de flexão em quatro pontos em corpos de prova prismáticos e de tração direta em corpos de prova do tipo dog bone shaped. Nos ensaios de flexão, os índices de tenacidade e as cargas residuais foram contabilizados. Alternativamente, determinou-se a energia absorvida nos ensaios de flexão de painéis circulares conforme a ASTM C1550, cuja abertura de fissuras foi medida com o auxílio de transdutores de deslocamento. Os corpos de prova reforçados com fibras de aço submetidos à tração direta se mostraram mais dúcteis com relação à matriz de concreto autoadensável, observando-se grande influência do volume e comprimento ancorado das fibras nas cargas residuais da zona de pós-fissuração. Nos ensaios de flexão, observaram-se grandes incrementos na tenacidade e deformações correspondentes às cargas residuais. Por fim, analisou-se a influência desses concretos no comportamento de vigas armadas sujeitas à flexão. A evolução da abertura de fissuras foi monitorada com sistema de correlação digital de imagens, sendo posteriormente correlacionadas com cargas aplicadas e com os deslocamentos obtidos nos ensaios. Observou-se nestes ensaios, que o reforço fibroso aumentou a capacidade de carga e a rigidez à flexão, atrasando consideravelmente o surgimento de fissuras. / [en] In the present work the mechanical behavior of a self-consolidating concrete reinforced with steel fibers was investigated. Twisted and hooked end steel fibers were used in lengths of 25, 30 and 60 mm and diameters of 0.5, 0.62 e 0.75 mm. For each of these fibers and for each volumetric fractions investigated (0.5, 1.0 and 2.0 percent), the four-point bending tests on prismatic specimens and direct tensile in dog bone shape specimens were performed. In the flexural tests, the toughness and residual strengths were computed. Alternatively, the energy absorption capacity in the round panel tests was determined following the ASTM C1550. During the test the crack opening was measured through displacement transducers. The steel fiber reinforced concrete subject to direct tensile loading was more ductile than the self-consolidating concrete matrix, showing a high influence of the volume and embedded length of the fibers in the residual loads in the post-cracking zone. In the bending tests, a large increase in the toughness and strains corresponding to the residual loads were observed. Finally, the influence of the fiber reinforced concretes on the behavior of reinforced beams subject to bending was investigated. The evolution of the crack openings was monitored with a digital image correlation system and correlated to the applied load and displacements. It was observed in these tests that the fibrous reinforcement considerably increased the load capacity and flexural stiffness, delaying the crack growth.

L'industrie du ciment est l'une des principales sources d'émission de dioxyde de carbone. L'industrie mondiale du ciment contribue à environ 7% des émissions de gaz à effet de serre dans l'atmosphère. Afin d'aborder les effets environnementaux associés à la fabrication de ciment exploitant en permanence les ressources naturelles, il est nécessaire de développer des liants alternatifs pour fabriquer du béton durable. Ainsi, de nombreux sous-produits industriels ont été utilisés pour remplacer partiellement le ciment dans le béton afin de générer plus d'économie et de durabilité. La performance d'un additif de ciment est dans la cinétique d'hydratation et de la synergie entre les additions et de ciment Portland. Dans ce projet, deux sous-produits industriels sont étudiés comme des matériaux cimentaires alternatifs: le résidu de silice amorphe (RSA) et les cendres des boues de désencrage. Le RSA est un sous-produit de la production de magnésium provenant de l'Alliance Magnésium des villes d'Asbestos et Thedford Mines, et les cendres des boues de désencrage est un sous-produit de la combustion des boues de désencrage, l'écorce et les résidus de bois dans le système à lit fluidisé de l'usine de Brompton située près de Sherbrooke, Québec, Canada. Récemment, les cendres des boues de désencrage ont été utilisées comme des matériaux cimentaires alternatifs. L'utilisation de ces cendres comme matériau cimentaire dans la fabrication du béton conduit à réduire la qualité des bétons. Ces problèmes sont causés par des produits d'hydratation perturbateurs des cendres volantes de la biomasse quand ces cendres sont partiellement mélangées avec du ciment dans la fabrication du béton. Le processus de pré-mouillage de la cendre de boue de désencrage avant la fabrication du béton réduit les produits d'hydratation perturbateurs et par conséquent les propriétés mécaniques du béton sont améliorées. Les approches pour étudier la cendre de boue de désencrage dans ce projet sont : 1) caractérisation de cette cendre volante régulière et pré-humidifiée, 2) l'étude de la performance du mortier et du béton incorporant cette cendre volante régulière et pré-humidifiée. Le RSA est un nouveau sous-produit industriel. La haute teneur en silice amorphe en RSA est un excellent potentiel en tant que matériau cimentaire dans le béton. Dans ce projet, l'évaluation des RSA comme matériaux cimentaires alternatifs compose trois étapes. Tout d'abord, la caractérisation par la détermination des propriétés minéralogiques, physiques et chimiques des RSA, ensuite, l'optimisation du taux de remplacement du ciment par le RSA dans le mortier, et enfin l'évaluation du RSA en remplacement partiel du ciment dans différents types de béton dans le système binaire et ternaire. Cette étude a révélé que le béton de haute performance (BHP) incorporant le RSA a montré des propriétés mécaniques et la durabilité, similaire du contrôle. Le RSA a amélioré les propriétés des mécaniques et la durabilité du béton ordinaire (BO). Le béton autoplaçant (BAP) incorporant le RSA est stable, homogène et a montré de bonnes propriétés mécaniques et la durabilité. Le RSA avait une bonne synergie en combinaison de liant ternaire avec d'autres matériaux cimentaires supplémentaires. Cette étude a montré que le RSA peut être utilisé comme nouveaux matériaux cimentaires dans le béton. / Abstract : Cement manufacturing industry is one of the carbon dioxide emitting sources. The global cement industry contributes about 7% of greenhouse gas emission to the earth’s atmosphere. In order to address environmental effects associated with cement manufacturing and constantly depleting natural resources, there is necessity to develop alternative binders to make sustainable concrete. Thus, many industrial by-products have been used to partially substitute cement in order to generate more economic and durable concrete. The performance of a cement additive depends on kinetics hydration and synergy between additions and Portland cement. In this project, two industrial by-products are investigated as alternative supplementary cementitious materials (ASCMs), non-toxic amorphous silica residue (AmSR) and wastepaper sludge ash (WSA). AmSR is by-product of production of magnesium from Alliance Magnesium near of Asbestos and Thetford Mines Cities, and wastepaper sludge ash is by-product of combustion of de-inking sludge, bark and residues of woods in fluidized-bed system from Brompton mill located near Sherbrooke, Quebec, Canada. The AmSR is new industrial by-products. Recently, wastepaper sludge ash has been used as cementitious materials. Utilization of these ashes as cementitious material in concrete manufacturing leads to reduce the mechanical properties of concretes. These problems are caused by disruptive hydration products of biomass fly ash once these ashes partially blended with cement in concrete manufacturing. The pre-wetting process of WSA before concrete manufacturing reduced disruptive hydration products and consequently improved concrete mechanical properties. Approaches for investigation of WSA in this project consist on characterizing regular and pre-wetted WSA, the effect of regular and pre-wetted WSA on performance of mortar and concrete. The high content of amorphous silica in AmSR is excellent potential as cementitious material in concrete. In this project, evaluation of AmSR as cementitious materials consists of three steps. Characterizing and determining physical, chemical and mineralogical properties of AmSR. Then, effect of different rates of replacement of cement by AmSR in mortar. Finally, study of effect of AmSR as partial replacement of cement in different concrete types with binary and ternary binder combinations. This study revealed that high performance concrete (HPC) incorporating AmSR showed similar mechanical properties and durability, compared to control mixture. AmSR improved mechanical properties and durability of ordinary concrete. Self-consolidating (SCC) concrete incorporating AmSR was stable, homogenous and showed good mechanical properties and durability. AmSR had good synergy in ternary binder combination with other supplementary cementitious materials (SCMs). This study showed AmSR can be use as new cementitious materials in concrete.