In recent years, scientific studies are carried out to find new refractory material. Having good mechanical properties under very high temperatures, refractories are widely used in industries like iron, steel, glass, cement and pottery. Researches are focused on monolithic refractory making because of their superior properties comparing to conventional firebrick refractories. Providing a mono-block body, having no joints makes the monolithic refractories more durable at elevated temperatures. Easier production and installation are two main points that people are choosing monolithic refractories, thus an economy is made. In this study, for monolithic refractory production, high alumina cement was used as binding material. It is known that the increase in alumina (Al2O3) content increases the high temperature resistance, so that crushed firebrick, having 85% Al2O3 was used as aggregate. Pozzolanic materials, which are silica fume, fly ash, ground granulated firebrick and ground granulated blast furnace slag, were added to improve physical and mechanical properties of mortar. With the addition of steel fibres, change in compressive strength and flexural strength was observed.Superplasticizer was used to understand its behaviour under high temperatures. Portland cement containing mortars were also prepared to make comparison with high alumina cement containing specimens. Specimens were prepared in 5x5x5 cm and 4x4x16 cm prisms. They were cured for one day at curing room, then heated to 105&deg / C and then heated to 1100&deg / C. Weight, size and ultrasound velocity change, compressive strength and flexural strength tests were done to determine physical and mechanical properties of the monolithic refractories, before and after heating. Heated and non-heated specimens were pulverized for microstructural investigation with X-Ray diffraction (XRD) method. Using high alumina cement with 50 &ndash / 60 % granulated blast furnace slag or granulated firebrick, by the weight of cement, and crushed firebrick as aggregate, a satisfactory monolithic refractory material was made. It was observed that, mechanical properties were decreased at the Portland cement used mortars after several times of heating and cooling cycles. Also, it was determined that the microstructure of the high alumina cement containing mortars did not deteriorate much at 1100&deg / C, as long as there was no change observed from the results.

Neste trabalho investiga-se o comportamento resistente de lajes-cogumelo de concreto armado, analisando-se as possibilidades de melhoria de desempenho com relação ao fenômeno de punção, pelo emprego de concreto de alta resistência, pelo reforço com fibras de aço e pelo uso de armaduras transversais de combate à punção, através de ensaios de modelos de lajes-cogumelo quadradas que representam a ligação laje-pilar para o caso do pilar interno. Apresenta-se também uma revisão de conhecimentos sobre as lajes-cogumelo, o seu comportamento estrutural com ênfase no fenômeno da punção, e os principais conceitos sobre os concretos de alta resistência e os compósitos constituídos de matriz de cimento reforçada com fibras. Doze modelos de laje-cogumelo foram ensaiados com diferentes combinações de concreto de alta resistência, concreto de resistência convencional, armadura transversal e volume de fibras (0%, 0,75% e 1,5%). Um acréscimo significativo de resistência à punção foi observado, devido ao uso de concreto de alta resistência e à adição de fibras. A combinação de concreto de alta resistência com 1,5% de volume de fibras e armadura transversal proporcionaram o dobro de aumento na resistência à punção em relação ao modelo de concreto convencional sem armadura transversal e sem adição de fibras. A adição de fibras é a suposta responsável por cerca de 50% de acréscimo de resistência e o aumento da ductilidade. Outras comparações incluindo as previsões teóricas (Texto Base da NB1/94, CEB/90, AGI 318/89 e EUROCODE N.2) são comentadas. / This work investigates the behavior of reinforced concrete flat slabs, analysing the possibility of performance improvement, in relation to punching shear phenomenon, regarding to the use of high strength concrete, the addition of steel fibres and the use of transversal steel reinforcement against punching shear, through tests of flat slab square models that represent the slab-column connection, for the case of an interior column. lt introduce a revision of knowledge of flat slabs, their structural behavior with emphasis on the punching shear phenomenon, and the main concepts about high strength concretes and the composites made of cement matrix reinforced with fibres. Twelve flat slab models were tested in different combinations of high strength concrete, ordinary strength, shear reinforcement and steel fibre volume fraction (0%, 0,75% e 1,5%). A significant increase in the punching shear strength was observed, either due to the use of high strength and the addition of steel fibres. The combination of high strength concrete with 1,5% fibre volume fraction and shear reinforcement provide twice the punching shear resistance of an ordinary concrete strength model without shear reinforcement and without fibre. Fibre addition is supposed to be responsible by about 50% of the resistance improvement and the increase of ductility. Other comparisons including theoretical previsions (Texto Base da NB1/94, CEB/90, ACI 318/89 e EUROCODE N.2) are commented.

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.

Steel fibre reinforced concrete is not a novel concept, it has been around since the mid-1900s, but despite its great success in shotcrete-reinforced rock walls and industrial floors it has not made any impact on either beams or elevated slab. Apparently, the absence of standards is the main reason. However, the combination of steel fibre reinforced concrete and conventional reinforcement has in many researches shown to emphasize good bearing capacrty. In this thesis, two punching shear capacity models have been analysed and adapted on 136 test slabs perfomred by previous researchers. The first punching model altemative is proposed in DAfStB - BetonKalender 201l, and the second punching model alternative is established in Swedish Concrete Association - Report No. 4 1994. Due to missing information of the experimental measured residual tensile strength, a theoretical residual tensile strength was estimated in two different manners to be able to adapt the DAfStB punching model altemative on the refereed test slabs. The first solution is an derivation of a suggestion made by Silfiverbrand (2000) and the second solution is drawn from a proposal made by Choi etal. (2007). The result indicates that the SCA punching model alternative is easier to adapt and provides the most representative result. Also DAfStb altemative with the second solution of estimating the residual strength contributes to arbitrary result, however due to the uncertainty of the estimation of the residual tensile strength, the SCA punching model is recommended to be applied until further investigation can confirm the accuracy of the DAfStB alternative with experimentally obtained residual tensile strength.

The target of the ‘Green Overlays’ research was a cost effective, minimal disruption, sustainable and environmentally friendly alternative to the wholesale demolition, removal and complete reconstruction of the existing structural concrete pavement. The important problem of flexural resistance for strengthening concrete pavements with structural overlays has been scrutinised. A new mix design method for steel fibre reinforced, roller compacted, polymer modified, bonded concrete overlay has been proposed. The mixes developed were characterized of high flexural strength and high bond strength with the old concrete substrate. ‘Placeability’ and ‘compactability’ of the mix were two dominant issues during laboratory investigation. An innovative approach for establishing the relationship between Stress and Crack Face Opening Displacement for steel fibre reinforced concrete beams under flexure was developed. In addition, a new and simple method for calculating the interfacial Strain Energy Release Rate of both, a two-dimensional specimen and a three-dimensional model of the overlay pavement system were developed. This method can be readily and easily used by practicing engineers. Finally, a new test specimen and its loading configuration for measuring interfacial fracture toughness for concrete overlay pavements were established. The interfacial fracture toughness of a composite concrete beam, consisted of steel fibre-reinforced roller compacted polymer modified concrete bonded on conventional concrete and undergoing flexure, was assessed. In summary, this thesis presents four key findings: A new mix design method for steel fibre-reinforced roller compacted polymer modified concrete bonded on conventional concrete. A new method for establishing the fibre bridging law by an inverse analysis approach. A new, simplified method for calculating strain energy release rate at the interface of a composite beam. A new, innovative technique for calculating strain energy release rate at the interface of an overlaid pavement. The thesis contains a plethora of graphs, data-tables, examples and formulae, suitable for future researchers.

Concretes reinforced by, using distributed steel reinforcements (fibres) are known as fibre-concrete. In case of disturbances or accidents of concrete structures reinforced with wires, it is necessary to carefully examine the actual implementation of dispersed reinforcement. Fibre concretes belong to modern building materials whose possible applications have not been fully utilized so far. Have been mainly used for floor structures loaded with factory halls and warehouses. Recently, thanks to well-known physical and mechanical properties of fibre-concrete, there were numerous attempts of designers, and namely investors, to utilize this kind of materials for support structures either. Favorable properties of wire-concrete can be utilized if there is a necessity to increase the resistance of concrete to stresses exceeding its strength, cyclic stress or impact stress. Daily practice shows to prove that the applications of fibre-concrete in such structures lead to the economic success. Necessary condition for successful application of steel fiber reinforced concrete in constructions however consists in its uniform dispersion, a homogeneous distribution of the wires throughout the volume of the structure. In case of inappropriate processing and deposition of the mixture during the manufacturing process fiber-concrete structures, the fibers are often unevenly distributed. Wires itself represent unfavourably shaped mixture components and they are extremely deteriorating its workability. A grouping of wires may be encountered as well, which reduces the overall homogeneity and the quality of steel fiber-concrete structures. If the homogeneity of fibre-concrete is not kept, the material possess different properties in various parts of the structure (for example, tensile strength), which can lead to defects in the structure (generation and development of cracks). The relevant lower reliability of the structure which is caused by unequal distribution of fibres (wires) in concrete volume can lead to damage of the property as well as the safety and the human lives can be jeopardized. Hence it is necessary to secure the effective control of the fibre-concrete homogeneity in ready support fibre-concrete structures. Contemporary homogeneity control is still ongoing on fresh blends, but if the fibre-concrete hardened and is a part of the construction, no known reliable methods are currently in available to test the homogeneity of the fibre-concrete on the structure without its destruction. The methods developed to control the concentration of wires in wire-concrete structures are based mostly on magnetic or electromagnetic properties of wires. The thesis deals with the development of the magnetic method in situ using permanent magnets for monitoring the distribution of fibers in hardened steel fiber-concrete structures. The test principle is based on measurements of the changes in magnetic field strength of permanent magnets which are induced by a change in wire distribution in steel fibre-concrete structure. Test is characterized as a so called local- failure- test using a small diameter core drill. In this sense it is a semi-destructive method.

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.

Das Institut für Tragwerksentwurf (ITE) und das Institut für Baustof e, Massivbau und Brandschutz (iBMB) der TU Braunschweig bearbeiteten in der ersten Förderperiode des SPP 1542 „Leicht Bauen mit Beton“ gemeinsam das Teilprojekt „Entwicklung neuartiger Verbindungen für geometrisch komplexe Flächen- und Stabwerkselemente aus UHPC“. Schwerpunkt waren umfangreiche Untersuchungen zu geometrisch komplexen und hochpräzise hergestellte trocken gefügten Stoßverbindungen für dünnwandige UHPC-Bauteile zur Übertragung von Druck-, Biege- und Scherkräften. Zur Verbesserung der Zugtragfähigkeit und des Nachbruchverhaltens wurde im Forschungsprojekt stahlfaserverstärkter ultrahochfester Beton (UHPFRC) verwendet. Die einzelnen Arbeitspakete waren entsprechend der Expertisen der beiden Institute aufgeteilt. Während sich das ITE insbesondere mit der Entwicklung der Bauteil- und Fugengeometrien sowie dem Schalungsbaus befasste, lagen Planung und Umsetzung der experimentellen und numerischen Material- und Bauteiluntersuchungen in der Verantwortung des iBMB. [Aus. Einleitung) / The Institute of Structural Design (ITE) and the Institute of Building Materials, Concrete Structures and Fire Safety (iBMB) of the Technical University of Braunschweig worked together in the f rst funding period of the SPP 1542 “Concrete Light” on the subproject “Development of novel jointing systems for complex beam surface and spatial elements made of UHPFRC”. The focus was on extensive investigations of geometrically complex and high-precision dry-jointed connections for thin-walled UHPC components for the transmission of compressive, bending and shear forces. Steel f bre reinforced ultra-high performance concrete (UHPFRC) was used in the research project to improve the tensile strength and post fracture behaviour. The individual work packages were divided according to the expertise of the two institutes. While the ITE was particularly concerned with the development of the component and joint geometries as well as the formwork construction, the iBMB was responsible for the planning and implementation of the experimental and numerical material and element analyses. [Off: Introduction]

The final thesis is focused on the solution of the building technology project of storage hall in Zlín. This master’s thesis includes engineering report, studies of major technological stages, solution of transport routes, project of site equipment, design of major machines and mechanisms, technological regulations for steel hall and steel fibre reinforced concrete floor, time schedule, control and test plans for steel hall and steel fibre reinforced concrete floor, budget, time and financial plan, assembly schemes for steel hall and floor assembly.

This final thesis is divided into two parts. The first, theoretic part is focused on issue about industrial concrete floors, their production and adjustment. Special attention is paid to the mineral shakes, steel fibres and concrete, which is used to these constructions. There are more information about specific standardized tests of steel fibre concrete and some damages of concrete floors in other chapters. Second part of the diploma thesis is practical. Theoretical knowledge are applied to the actual construction. Survey methodology and diagnostic work are also desribed. Data processing and evaluation with the commentary is also attached to this part. The conclusion summarizes the results and selected findings relating to the issue are also included there.