Ultra-high performance concrete (UHPC) is relatively a new generation of concretes optimized at the nano and micro-scales to provide superior mechanical and durability properties compared to conventional and high performance concretes. Improvements in UHPC are achieved through: limiting the water-to-cementitious materials ratio (i.e., w/cm < 0.20), optimizing particle packing, eliminating coarse aggregate, using specialized materials, and implementing high temperature and high pressure curing regimes. In addition, and randomly dispersed and short fibers are typically added to enhance the material¡¦s tensile and flexural strength, ductility, and toughness. There is a specific interest in using UHPC for precast prestressed bridge girders because it has the potential to reduce maintenance costs associated with steel and conventional concrete girders, replace functionally obsolete or structurally deficient steel girders without increasing the weight or the depth of the girder, and increase bridge durability to between 75 and 100 years. UHPC girder construction differs from that of conventional reinforced concrete in that UHPC may not need transverse reinforcement due to the high tensile and shear strengths of the material. Before bridge designers specify such girders without using shear reinforcement, the long-term tensile performance of the material must be characterized. This multi-scale study provided new data and understanding of the long-term tensile performance of UHPC by assessing the effect of thermal treatment, fiber content, and stress level on the tensile creep in a large-scale study, and by characterizing the fiber-cementitious matrix interface at different curing regimes through nanoindentation and scanning electron microscopy (SEM) in a nano/micro-scale study. Tensile creep of UHPC was more sensitive to investigated parameters than tensile strength. Thermal treatment decreased tensile creep by about 60% after 1 year. Results suggested the possibility of achieving satisfactory microstructural refinement at the same temperature input despite the maximum temperature applied. For the first time, the presence of a 10 Ým (394 micro inch) wide porous fiber-cementitious matrix interface was demonstrated by nanoindentation and SEM for non-thermally treated UHPC only. Tensile creep at 90 days increased by 64% and 46% upon eliminating fibers for thermally and non-thermally treated UHPC, respectively. Increases in creep upon reducing the fiber content suggested that fibers carry part of the sustained load and thus reduce creep. Tensile creep strain was proportional to the stress applied up to 60% of the ultimate strength. No tensile creep failure occurred for a period of 1 year for pre-cracked UHPC under stress level of 40%. Also, no tensile creep failure occurred for a period of 90 days under stress level of 60%. Tensile creep failure occurred at stress levels of 70% and 80%. This study showed that fibers cannot be accounted for as shear reinforcement in lieu of stirrups unless micro-defect-free fiber-matrix interface is achieved.

At an average age of 42 years, 10% of the nation’s over 607,000 bridges are posted for load restrictions, with an additional 15% considered structurally deficient or functionally obsolete. While there are major concerns with decks in 75% of structurally deficient bridges, often weight and geometry of the deck further limit the load rating and functionality of the bridge. Traditional deck systems and construction methods usually lead to prolonged periods of traffic delays, limiting options for transportation agencies to replace or widen a bridge, especially in urban areas. The purpose of this study was to develop a new generation of ultra-lightweight super shallow solid deck systems to replace open grid steel decks on movable bridges and as well serve as a viable alternative in bridge deck replacements across the country. The study has led to a lightweight low-profile asymmetric waffle deck made with advanced materials. The asymmetry comes from the arrangement of primary and secondary ribs, respectively perpendicular and parallel to the direction of traffic. The waffle deck is made with ultrahigh performance concrete (UHPC) reinforced with either high-strength steel (HSS) or carbon fiber reinforced polymer (CFRP) reinforcement. With this combination, the deck weight was limited to below 21 psf and its overall depth to only 4 inch, while still meeting the strength and ductility demands for 4 ft. typical stringer spacing. It was further envisioned that the ultra-high strength of UHPC is best matched with the high strength of HSS or CFRP reinforcement for an efficient system and the ductile behavior of UHPC can help mask the linear elastic response of CFRP reinforcement and result in an overall ductile system. The issues of consideration from the design and constructability perspectives have included strength and stiffness, bond and development length for the reinforcement, punching shear and panel action. A series of experiments were conducted to help address these issues. Additionally full-size panels were made for testing under heavy vehicle simulator (HVS) at the accelerated pavement testing (APT) facility in Gainesville. Detailed finite element analyses were also carried out to help guide the design of this new generation of bridge decks. The research has confirmed the superior performance of the new deck system and its feasibility.

The application of advanced materials in infrastructure has grown rapidly in recent years mainly because of their potential to ease the construction, extend the service life, and improve the performance of structures. Ultra-high performance concrete (UHPC) is one such material considered as a novel alternative to conventional concrete. The material microstructure in UHPC is optimized to significantly improve its material properties including compressive and tensile strength, modulus of elasticity, durability, and damage tolerance. Fiber-reinforced polymer (FRP) composite is another novel construction material with excellent properties such as high strength-to-weight and stiffness-to-weight ratios and good corrosion resistance. Considering the exceptional properties of UHPC and FRP, many advantages can result from the combined application of these two advanced materials, which is the subject of this research. The confinement behavior of UHPC was studied for the first time in this research. The stress-strain behavior of a series of UHPC-filled fiber-reinforced polymer (FRP) tubes with different fiber types and thicknesses were tested under uniaxial compression. The FRP confinement was shown to significantly enhance both the ultimate strength and strain of UHPC. It was also shown that existing confinement models are incapable of predicting the behavior of FRP-confined UHPC. Therefore, new stress-strain models for FRP-confined UHPC were developed through an analytical study. In the other part of this research, a novel steel-free UHPC-filled FRP tube (UHPCFFT) column system was developed and its cyclic behavior was studied. The proposed steel-free UHPCFFT column showed much higher strength and stiffness, with a reasonable ductility, as compared to its conventional reinforced concrete (RC) counterpart. Using the results of the first phase of column tests, a second series of UHPCFFT columns were made and studied under pseudo-static loading to study the effect of column parameters on the cyclic behavior of UHPCFFT columns. Strong correlations were noted between the initial stiffness and the stiffness index, and between the moment capacity and the reinforcement index. Finally, a thorough analytical study was carried out to investigate the seismic response of the proposed steel-free UHPCFFT columns, which showed their superior earthquake resistance, as compared to their RC counterparts.

The strain capacity of structures depends on the plastic hinge behaviour. There are different proposals in the scientific literature in order to improve this behaviour in reinforced concrete structures such as the following ones: proposals include the use of fiber reinforced concrete, very high performance concrete or replacing in the critical structure zone, the steel reinforcement with shape memory alloy and superelasticity bars (from this point forward SMA), among other solutions. However, the strain capacity of hinges is dependent on the compressed reinforcement buckling, which means a drastic diminishing in the bearing capacity and ductility. This phenomenon happens due to the cover spalling or degradation, or due to an insufficient transverse reinforcement arrangement. The design codes propose requirements related to the diameter of longitudinal bars and to the transverse reinforcement separation to assure the bearing capacity or to assure the hinge rotation without the compressed reinforcements buckle. Nevertheless, the aforementioned requirements are not valid in compressed elements made of new materials (fiber reinforced concrete, very high performance concrete or SMA bars). This doctoral thesis analyzes the compressed steel or NiTi - SMA bars behaviour in elements made of conventional, high strength or very high performance concrete, with or without fibres. Therefore, an experimental research has been carried out to study the local instability of the compressed bars (steel and NITI) in concrete elements. 32 columns subject to a bending-compression load have been analyzed. An analytic model has been proposed to analyze the buckling critical stress and length in the compressed bars in concrete elements. This model has been calibrated based on experimental tests. It has been performed an experimental and numerical research to analyze the behaviour of the NITI bars as isolated bars. It has been proposed an analytic model to calculate the relationship stress-strain of the compressed bars that includes the buckling effect. This model has been verified by both experimental and numerical results. Finally, it has been proposed an expression to calculate the maximum separation of the transverse reinforcement according to the required limited stress, for both steel and SMA bars. In order to define that stress, two criteria have been proposed: one of them is based on stresses and the other one on strains. With respect to the concrete without fibres case, the proposed expression has been compared with the current code. / La capacidad de deformación de las estructuras depende del comportamiento de las rótulas plásticas. Para mejorar dicho comportamiento en estructuras de hormigón armado, en la literatura técnica se propone utilizar hormigón con fibras de acero en su masa, hormigón de muy altas prestaciones o sustituir en la zona crítica de la estructura las armaduras de acero por barras de aleación con memoria de forma y superelasticidad (en adelante SMA) entre otras soluciones. Sin embargo, la capacidad de deformación de las rótulas está condicionada por el pandeo de la armadura comprimida, lo que supone una disminución drástica de la capacidad resistente y de la ductilidad. Este fenómeno se produce porque el recubrimiento del hormigón salta o se degrada, o por una insuficiente disposición de armadura transversal. En las normativas de diseño se proponen requisitos acerca del diámetro y de la separación de la armadura transversal para asegurar la capacidad resistente o la deformación de la rótula sin que las armaduras comprimidas pandeen. Sin embargo, dichas expresiones no son válidas en elementos comprimidos fabricados con nuevos materiales (hormigón con fibras en su masa, hormigones de muy altas prestaciones o barras de SMA). En esta tesis doctoral se analiza el comportamiento de barras comprimidas, de acero o de SMA en base NiTi, en elementos fabricados con hormigones convencionales, de alta resistencia o de muy altas prestaciones, con o sin fibras en su masa. A tal efecto, se ha ejecutado un programa experimental para estudiar la inestabilidad local de las barras comprimidas (acero y NiTi) en elementos de hormigón. Se han analizado un total de 32 soportes sometidos a una solicitación de flexo-compresión. Se ha propuesto un modelo analítico para determinar la tensión y la longitud crítica de pandeo de barras comprimidas en elementos de hormigón. Este modelo ha sido calibrado con los ensayos experimentales. Se ha realizado un estudio experimental y numérico para analizar el comportamiento de las barras de NiTi como barras aisladas. Se ha propuesto un modelo analítico para calcular la relación tensión - deformación de barras comprimidas que incluye el efecto del pandeo. Este modelo ha sido verificado tanto con los resultados experimentales como numéricos. Finalmente, se ha propuesto una expresión para el cálculo de la separación máxima de la armadura transversal en función de la tensión límite requerida, tanto para barras de acero como de SMA. Para la definición de dicha tensión se proponen dos criterios: uno basado en tensiones y otro en deformaciones. En el caso de hormigón sin fibras, la expresión propuesta se ha comparado con la normativa actual. / La capacitat de deformació de les estructures depén del comportament de les ròtules plàstiques. Per a millorar dit comportament en estructures de formigó armat, en la literatura tècnica es proposa utilitzar formigó amb fibres d'acer en la seua massa, formigó de molt altes prestacions o substituir en la zona crítica de l'estructura les armadures d'acer per barres d'aliatge amb memòria de forma i superelasticitat (d'ara endavant SMA) entre d'altres solucions. No obstant això, la capacitat de deformació de les ròtules està condicionada pel vinclament de l'armadura comprimida, la qual cosa suposa una disminució dràstica de la capacitat resistent i de la ductilitat. Este fenomen es produeix perquè el recobriment del formigó salta o es degrada, o per una insuficient disposició de l'armadura transversal. En les normatives de disseny es proposen requisits quant al diàmetre i a la separació de l'armadura transversal per assegurar la capacitat resistent o la deformació de la ròtula sense que les armadures comprimides vinclen. No obstant això, estes expressions no son vàlides en elements comprimits fabricats amb nous materiales (formigó amb fibres en la seua massa, formigons de molt altes prestacions o barres de SMA). En esta tesis doctoral s'analitza el comportament de barres comprimides, d'acer o de SMA compost per NiTi, en elements fabricats amb formigons convencionals, d'alta resistència o de molt altes prestacions, amb o sense fibres en la seua massa. A tal efecte, s'ha executat un programa experimental per estudiar la inestabilitat local de les barres comprimides (acer i NiTi) en elements de formigó. S'han analitzat un total de 32 soports somesos a una solicitació de flexo-compressió. S'ha proposat un model analític per determinar la tensió i longitud crítica de vinclament de barres comprimides en elements de formigó. Este model ha sigut calibrat amb els assajos experimentals. S'ha realitzat un estudi experimental i numéric per analitzar el comportament de les barres de NiTi com barres aïllades. S'ha proposat un model analític per calcular la relació tensió-deformació de barres comprimides que inclou l'efecte del vinclament. Este model ha sigut verificat tant amb els resultats experimentals com numérics. Finalment, s'ha proposat una expressió per al càlcul de la separació màxima de l'armadura transversal en funció de la tensió límit requerida., tant per a barres d'acer com de SMA. Per a la definició de dita tensió es proposen dos criteris: uno basat en tensions i l'altre en deformacions. En el cas del formigó amb fibres, l'expressió proposada s'ha comparat amb la normativa actual. / Pereiro Barceló, J. (2017). INESTABILIDAD DE BARRAS COMPRIMIDAS DE ACERO Y DE SMA EN ELEMENTOS DE HORMIGÓN FABRICADOS CON NUEVOS MATERIALES. RECOMENDACIONES DE DISEÑO [Tesis doctoral no publicada]. Universitat Politècnica de València. https://doi.org/10.4995/Thesis/10251/90650 / TESIS

It is a well-known problem that concrete needs to be made more efficient and that it is the large consumption of cement that is the major contributing factor to the nearby need. There is a zero vision of a climate-neutral concrete where all CO2 emissions in the life cycle of the concrete are to be reset by 2050. It is a question of improving, above all, the process of handling CO2 in the production of cement. This study tackles CO2 emissions from the concrete from a holistic perspective, by exploring optimization possibilities when implementing a newly developed concrete in residential buildings, called Ultra High Performance Concrete (UHPC). While it should be a better alternative for the climate, it should also require less material consumption and be more cost-effective in order to create a competitive alternative to the conventional alternative today, called Normal Concrete (NC). UHPC is during a development phase regarding optimization opportunities and it has been proven in several studies to be able to relate better to a sustainable design, based on a total life cycle progression. This applies above all to large and robust bridge structures where large volume differences are available. The idea behind this study is to highlight the question of whether there is an opportunity to get similar results in the construction of less robust components in residential buildings, since the problem with the mix design for UHPC has been the overall high cost in relation to NC. In recent years, this cost has been reduced and now there are opportunities to effectively introduce UHPC into another segment.In this study, columns and beams were dimensioned in a residential NC building and a residential UHPC building with ETABS (CSI 2019). Furthermore, the components of the buildings were compared, based on the aspect of a sustainable design from a total LCA. What was investigated were the differences in total material consumption, CO2 emissions, and costs.The study showed that the UHPC components were better based on all aspects after its total LCA. The total cement consumption was larger, but the building received at the same time an estimated double the lifespan of the NC- building. The total material consumption in the form of total component volumes became smaller, the total annual CO2 emissions became smaller and the total annual costs became smaller as well. / Det är ett välkänt problem att betong behöver klimateffektiviseras och att det är den storacementkonsumtionen som är den stora bidragande faktorn till det närliggande behovet. Detfinns en nollvision om en klimatneutral betong där alla CO2- utsläpp under betongenslivscykel (LCA), ska nollställas fram till år 2050. Det är en fråga om att framför allt förbättraprocessen gällande hantering av CO2 vid produktion av cement. Den här studien angriperCO2- utsläppen från betongen ur ett helhetsperspektiv, genom att undersökaoptimeringsmöjligheter vid implementering av en nyutvecklad betong i bostadshus, kalladUltra High Performance Concrete (UHPC). Samtidigt som den ska vara ett bättre alternativför klimatet, ska den också kräva mindre materialåtgång och vara mer kostnadseffektiv föratt kunna skapa ett konkurrenskraftigt alternativ till det konventionella alternativet idag,kallad Normal Concrete (NC). UHPC är under en optimeringsfas och den har bevisats i flerastudier kunna förhålla sig bättre till en hållbar design, utifrån en total LCA. Det gäller framförallt stora och robusta brokonstruktioner där stora volymskillnader är disponibla. Tankenmed den här studien är att lyfta fram frågan om det finns möjlighet att få liknande resultatvid byggnation av mindre robusta komponenter i bostadshus, i ju med att problemet medmix-designen för UHPC, har varit den generella höga kostnaden i förhållande till NC. Påsenare år har den kostnaden kunnat reduceras och nu finns möjligheterna att effektivtkunna införa UHPC till ytterligare ett segment.I studien jämfördes pelare och balkar i ett UHPC- hus med motsvarande komponenter i ettNC- hus utifrån aspekten en hållbar design, ur en total LCA. Husen dimensionerades i ETABS(CSI 2019) utefter samma förutsättningar med hänsyn till kravet på bärförförmågorna. Detutgjorde skillnader hos volymerna på komponenterna, som således påvisade hurmaterialåtgången förändrades. CO2- utsläppen och kostnaderna påverkades avbetongkompositionerna och skillnaderna hos de materiella egenskaperna av respektivebetongtyp. I slutändan redovisades vilken betongtyp som genererade minsta och störstaårliga CO2- utsläpp och kostnader.Resultatet visade att UHPC- komponenterna minskade den totala betongåtgången underbyggprocessen med 27,1%, samt minskade armeringsåtgången med 12,0%, men attcementåtgången nästan fördubblades och motsvarade en ökning på 99,4%. CO2- utsläppenvart således betydligt större efter byggprocessen, men i förhållande till ett totaltlivcykelförlopp, minskade de totala årliga utsläppen med 18,8%. Det fanns en kritisk punktdär UHPC- komponenterna måste ha en LCA på minst 97,5 år i förhållande till NCkomponenternas LCA på 60 år, för att vara mer lönsamma utifrån totala CO2- utsläpp.Kostnaderna vart också betydligt större för UHPC- komponenterna efter byggprocessen,men efter en total LCA, minskade de totala kostnaderna med 39,0%. Det fanns en kritiskpunkt, där LCA- förloppet måste uppgå till minst 73,2 år i förhållande till NCkomponenternas LCA på 60 år, för att vara mer lönsamma utifrån totala kostnader.Enligt det framtagna resultatet fanns det goda möjligheter för pelare och balkar i UHPChuset att förhålla sig bättre utifrån en hållbar design, än vad motsvarande komponenter förNC- huset gjorde, efter en total LCA. Pelare och balkar i bostadshus kan bli ett nytt segmentatt introducera UHPC till, även om pålitligheten för studien är begränsad av betydelsefullafelkällor och tillgängliga kunskaper inom området för närvarande.

Die Vision bei diesem Projekt bestand darin, zukünftig anstelle massiver Betontragsysteme mit meist ungleichmäßiger Materialausnutzung am Kraftfluss orientierte, filigrane, stabartige Tragwerke zu entwerfen, die sich neben der Gewichtsreduktion und einer höheren Transparenz auch durch eine bessere Ressourcennutzung auszeichnen. Dabei wurde eine modulare Bauweise angestrebt, bei der die Einzelkomponenten Druckstab und vorgespannter Zugstab sowie Teile des Verbindungsknotenelements vorgefertigt und am Einsatzort zusammengefügt werden. Sowohl im Hinblick auf die Tragfähigkeits- und Verbundeigenschaften als auch auf die Dauerhaftigkeit sollten die Stäbe aus faserverstärktem Ultrahochleistungsbeton (UHPFRC) hergestellt sowie ausschließlich mit nichtmetallischen Elementen aus faserverstärkten Kunststoffen (FVK) bewehrt bzw. vorgespannt werden. Im geförderten Zeitraum lag das Hauptaugenmerk auf der Entwicklung filigraner, formoptimierter Druck- und vorgespannter Zugstäbe. Zum Knotenelement wurden theoretische Überlegungen sowie erste Tastversuche angestellt. [Aus: Projektidee und Zielsetzung] / The vision of this project was to replace massive concrete structures with mostly inhomogeneous material utilization in the future by designing filigree concrete truss supporting structures in accordance with the principle form follows force instead. Thus, besides weight reduction and a higher transparency also a higher resource efficiency can be achieved. A modular construction method, in which the components compression strut, prestressed tie and connection joint elements are prefabricated and joined together at the construction site, was aspired. With regard to load-bearing capacity and bonding behaviour as well as durability, the struts and ties are made of Ultra-High Performance Fibre-Reinforced Concrete (UHPFRC) and are reinforced or prestressed exclusively with non-metallic elements made of f bre-reinforced polymers (FRP). Within the funding period, the focus was on the development of f ligree, shape-optimized struts and prestressed ties. Regarding the connection joint element, theoretical considerations were made and first basic tests were carried out. [Off: Vision and objective]

Byggindustrin har i dagsläget en negativ klimatpåverkan och infrastrukturen likaså. Många länder har därför försökt undersöka möjligheten att hitta ett långsiktigt och hållbart alternativ till det konventionella reparationsmaterialet. Olika material undersöks, olika optimerade betongrecept testas för att förstå hur miljöpåverkan har minimeras för att förlänga livslängden hos betongkonstruktioner. Vid reparation av en bro är det viktigt att ta hänsyn till både kostnader och miljöpåverkan under hela dess livscykel. Kostnader som uppstår är investeringskostnader samt drift- och underhållskostnader. Miljöpåverkan från betongkonstruktioner i produkt skedet består av materialframställning, byggtransporter och produktion på byggarbetsplatserna. totala växthusgasutsläppet summeras och beräknas i kg CO2-ekv. Syftet med detta examensarbete är att studera den långsiktiga hållbarheten hos UHPC med hjälp av beräkningsmodeller såsom livscykelanalys och livscykelkostnadsanalys med avsikt att applicera reparationstekniken. Flera UHPC recept ställs mot det konventionella reparationsmaterialet detta för att kunna bedöma miljöpåverkan och kostnadseffektiviteten hos materialen. Dvs om det går det att minska klimatutsläppet och kostnaderna. De jämförda recepten är olika UHPC-recept samt traditionell betong. Recepten appliceras slutligen på en befintlig bropelare för att undersöka de olika receptens tillämpbarhet som reparationsmaterial ur ett hållbarhetsperspektiv. Det saknas tillräckligt med kunskap om UHPC:s långtidseffekter, speciellt om reparationsintervall. Med åtanke på materialets höga draghållfasthet och beständighet tillsammans med UHPC:s strukturella egenskaper har antaganden gjorts att materialet är reparationsfri under konstruktionens livslängd. Det vill säga att bropelaren som undersökts med UHPC i studien inte behövt repareras under sin livslängd. Resultatet från livscykelkostnadsanalysen visar att UHPC är dyrare i både kubikmeter (m3) och kvadratmeter (m2) med tanke på täckskiktets tjocklek än traditionell betong i materialpriset. Men med tanke på att UHPC är underhållsfritt har den en mindre livscykelkostnad. Resultatet från livscykelanalysen visar att UHPC blandningarna har större miljöpåverkan per kubikmeter. Då de olika täckskiktetstjocklek relateras till pelarens längd erhålls resultat där UHPC medför slankare konstruktioner och besparingar upp emot 50% mindre betongvolym (för den 6 m långa pelaren i fallstudien). Med UHPC som reparationsmaterial medför det till att bron inte behöver repareras under dess livslängd. Bropelaren som repareras med UHPC kommer därför ha en mindre miljöpåverkan än den traditionella betongen. Långsiktig hållbarhet och mindre totala växthusgasutsläpp (som är i riktlinje med EU:s och regeringens klimatkrav) erhålls för anläggningskonstruktioner med UHPC. / The construction industry has a negative climate impact and so does the infrastructure. Which is due to frequent repairs that are not sustainable. Many countries have therefore tried to explore the possibility of finding a long-term and sustainable alternative to conventional repair materials. Different materials are examined, different optimized concrete recipes are tested to understand how the environmental impact can be minimized and the service life of concrete structures extended. When repairing a bridge, it is important to take into account both costs and environmental impact throughout its life cycle. Costs that arise are investment costs as well as operating and maintenance costs. The environmental impact from concrete structures in the product phase consists of material production, construction transports and production at construction sites. The total greenhouse gas emissions are summed up and calculated in kg CO2 eq. The purpose of this thesis is to study the long-term sustainability of UHPC using calculation models such as life cycle analysis and life cycle cost analysis with the intention of applying the repair technique. Several UHPC prescriptions are set against the conventional repair material in order to be able to assess the environmental impact and cost-effectiveness of the materials. That is, if it is possible to reduce climate emissions and costs. The compared recipes are different UHPC recipes and traditional concrete. The recipes are finally applied to an existing bridge pillar to investigate the applicability of the various recipes as repair materials from a sustainability perspective. There is a lack of knowledge about the long-term effects of UHPC, especially about repair intervals. Given the high tensile strength and durability of the material together with the structural properties of the UHPC, it has been assumed that the material is repair-free for the life of the structure. That is, the bridge pillar examined with UHPC in the study did not need to be repaired during its lifetime. The results from the life cycle cost analysis show that UHPC is more expensive in both cubicmeters (m3) and square meters (m2) given the thickness of the cover layer than traditional concrete in the material price. However, given that UHPC is maintenance free, it has a lower lifecycle cost. The results from the life cycle analysis show that the UHPC mixtures have a greater environmental impact per cubic meter when the cover layer varies. As the thickness of the different cover layers is related to the length of the pillar, results are obtained where UHPC leads to slimmer constructions and savings of up to 50% less concrete volume (for the 6 m long pillar in the case study). With UHPC as repair material, this means that the bridge does not need to be repaired during its service life. The bridge pillar that is repaired with UHPC will therefore have a smaller environmental impact than the traditional concrete. Long-term sustainability and smaller total greenhouse gas emissions (which are in line with EU and government climate requirements) are obtained for plant constructions with UHPC.

The development of advanced fiber reinforced cement-based materials to provide higher strength, ductility, and durability, as ultra-high performance fiber-reinforced concrete (UHPFRC), enables the design of precast beams with thin sections and reduced self-weight to meet the required flexural performance. However, such slender elements when subjected to transitory phases, and possibly also in permanent stages, are prone to instability failure. So, the present study aims to provide experimental data and analytical solution for UHPFRC beams during the lifting phase, and studies about the other stages. This type of test is rare and was not reported for UHPFRC beams. For testing, the beams were lifted by inclined cables and subjected to a transversal load applied at midspan to induce lateral instability. The displacements of the beams were monitored with total station equipment. Also, a new analytical solution was proposed to predict the failure load of lifted beams and closed-form analytical solutions to predict the rollover load of beams supported by bearing pads and subjected to different loading conditions. Furthermore, there are limited data that characterizes the constitutive behavior of this material. In this context, the present research also focused on providing such laboratory results for UHPFRC with different fiber contents. Besides, analytical models for damage evolution and stress-strain relationship are proposed and applied in numerical simulations. From the results, the UHPFRC beams failed by instability with a load capacity 3.7 times smaller than the flexural load capacity. Furthermore, the analytical solution for lifting predicted the peak load of the experiment with great accuracy. Also, the proposed equations for beams on bearing pads accurately predicted the experimental results available in the literature. The analytical and experimental rollover loads differed by 4.37% and 13.6% for the two studied cases. From material, the stiffness degradation occurred rapidly in UHPFRC under tensile loading while occurred gradually in compression. Also, fiber content influenced toughness and degradation evolution significantly over the loading cycles. Proposed equations were utilized in the Plastic-Damage model of Abaqus that predicted accurately damage growth and cyclic envelopes during all the phases of the tension, compression, and bending tests. The calibrated numerical model also predicted the experimental results with the UHPFRC beams. / O desenvolvimento de materiais avançados à base de cimento reforçado com fibra para fornecer maior resistência, ductilidade e durabilidade, como o concreto de ultra-alto desempenho reforçado com fibras (UHPFRC), permite o projeto de vigas pré-moldadas com seções esbeltas e peso próprio reduzido que atendem desempenho estrutural requerido. No entanto, esses elementos delgados quando submetidos a fases transitórias e também em serviço são propensos a falhar por instabilidade. Então, o presente estudo tem por objetivo apresentar resultados experimentais e soluções analíticas para vigas de UHPFRC durante a fase de içamento e estudos sobre as outras fases. Este tipo de teste é raro e não foi reportado para vigas de UHPFRC. Para o teste, as vigas foram levantadas por cabos inclinados e submetidas a uma carga concentrada transversal aplicada no meio do vão para induzir a instabilidade lateral. Os deslocamentos das vigas foram monitorados com estação total. Além disso, uma nova solução analítica foi proposta para prever a carga de instabilidade das vigas içadas e soluções analíticas para prever a carga de tombamento de vigas suportadas por aparelho de apoio e submetidas a diferentes condições de carregamento. Além disso, existem poucos resultados experimentais que caracterizam o comportamento constitutivo deste material. Neste contexto, a presente pesquisa também se concentrou em fornecer tais resultados experimentais para UHPFRC com diferentes teores de fibras. Além disso, modelos analíticos para evolução de dano e relação tensão-deformação são propostos e aplicados em simulações numéricas. A partir dos resultados, as vigas em içamento falharam por instabilidade com uma capacidade de carga 3,7 vezes menor que a capacidade à flexão. Além disso, a solução analítica para içamento previu carga máxima do experimento com grande precisão. As equações propostas para vigas sobre aparelhos de apoio previram com precisão os resultados experimentais disponíveis na literatura. As cargas de tombamento analíticas e experimental diferiram em 4,37% e 13,6% para os dois casos estudados. Dos resultados do material, a degradação da rigidez ocorreu de maneira rápida no UHPFRC submetido à tração enquanto ocorreu gradualmente na compressão. O teor de fibras influenciou significativamente a tenacidade e a degradação nos ciclos de carregamento. As equações propostas foram utilizadas em um modelo de Dano acoplado à plasticidade que previu com precisão a evolução do dano e as envoltórias cíclicas durante todas as fases dos testes de tração, compressão e flexão. O modelo numérico calibrado também previu os resultados experimentais das vigas de UHPFRC.

The development of advanced fiber reinforced cement-based materials to provide higher strength, ductility, and durability, as ultra-high performance fiber-reinforced concrete (UHPFRC), enables the design of precast beams with thin sections and reduced self-weight to meet the required flexural performance. However, such slender elements when subjected to transitory phases, and possibly also in permanent stages, are prone to instability failure. So, the present study aims to provide experimental data and analytical solution for UHPFRC beams during the lifting phase, and studies about the other stages. This type of test is rare and was not reported for UHPFRC beams. For testing, the beams were lifted by inclined cables and subjected to a transversal load applied at midspan to induce lateral instability. The displacements of the beams were monitored with total station equipment. Also, a new analytical solution was proposed to predict the failure load of lifted beams and closed-form analytical solutions to predict the rollover load of beams supported by bearing pads and subjected to different loading conditions. Furthermore, there are limited data that characterizes the constitutive behavior of this material. In this context, the present research also focused on providing such laboratory results for UHPFRC with different fiber contents. Besides, analytical models for damage evolution and stress-strain relationship are proposed and applied in numerical simulations. From the results, the UHPFRC beams failed by instability with a load capacity 3.7 times smaller than the flexural load capacity. Furthermore, the analytical solution for lifting predicted the peak load of the experiment with great accuracy. Also, the proposed equations for beams on bearing pads accurately predicted the experimental results available in the literature. The analytical and experimental rollover loads differed by 4.37% and 13.6% for the two studied cases. From material, the stiffness degradation occurred rapidly in UHPFRC under tensile loading while occurred gradually in compression. Also, fiber content influenced toughness and degradation evolution significantly over the loading cycles. Proposed equations were utilized in the Plastic-Damage model of Abaqus that predicted accurately damage growth and cyclic envelopes during all the phases of the tension, compression, and bending tests. The calibrated numerical model also predicted the experimental results with the UHPFRC beams. / O desenvolvimento de materiais avançados à base de cimento reforçado com fibra para fornecer maior resistência, ductilidade e durabilidade, como o concreto de ultra-alto desempenho reforçado com fibras (UHPFRC), permite o projeto de vigas pré-moldadas com seções esbeltas e peso próprio reduzido que atendem desempenho estrutural requerido. No entanto, esses elementos delgados quando submetidos a fases transitórias e também em serviço são propensos a falhar por instabilidade. Então, o presente estudo tem por objetivo apresentar resultados experimentais e soluções analíticas para vigas de UHPFRC durante a fase de içamento e estudos sobre as outras fases. Este tipo de teste é raro e não foi reportado para vigas de UHPFRC. Para o teste, as vigas foram levantadas por cabos inclinados e submetidas a uma carga concentrada transversal aplicada no meio do vão para induzir a instabilidade lateral. Os deslocamentos das vigas foram monitorados com estação total. Além disso, uma nova solução analítica foi proposta para prever a carga de instabilidade das vigas içadas e soluções analíticas para prever a carga de tombamento de vigas suportadas por aparelho de apoio e submetidas a diferentes condições de carregamento. Além disso, existem poucos resultados experimentais que caracterizam o comportamento constitutivo deste material. Neste contexto, a presente pesquisa também se concentrou em fornecer tais resultados experimentais para UHPFRC com diferentes teores de fibras. Além disso, modelos analíticos para evolução de dano e relação tensão-deformação são propostos e aplicados em simulações numéricas. A partir dos resultados, as vigas em içamento falharam por instabilidade com uma capacidade de carga 3,7 vezes menor que a capacidade à flexão. Além disso, a solução analítica para içamento previu carga máxima do experimento com grande precisão. As equações propostas para vigas sobre aparelhos de apoio previram com precisão os resultados experimentais disponíveis na literatura. As cargas de tombamento analíticas e experimental diferiram em 4,37% e 13,6% para os dois casos estudados. Dos resultados do material, a degradação da rigidez ocorreu de maneira rápida no UHPFRC submetido à tração enquanto ocorreu gradualmente na compressão. O teor de fibras influenciou significativamente a tenacidade e a degradação nos ciclos de carregamento. As equações propostas foram utilizadas em um modelo de Dano acoplado à plasticidade que previu com precisão a evolução do dano e as envoltórias cíclicas durante todas as fases dos testes de tração, compressão e flexão. O modelo numérico calibrado também previu os resultados experimentais das vigas de UHPFRC.

Roofs are the most vulnerable part of the building envelope that often get damaged when subjected to hurricane winds. Damage to the roofs has a devastating impact on the entire structure, including interior losses and service interruptions. This study aimed at the development of a novel light-weight composite flat roof system for industrial, commercial and multi-story residential buildings to withstand Category 5 hurricane wind effects based on the Florida Building Code requirements for hurricane-prone regions, the strictest wind design code in the United States. The proposed roof system is designed as a combination of two advanced materials: ultra-high performance concrete (UHPC), reinforced with high strength steel (HSS). The novel combination of these two materials in a specially designed cross section led to a lightweight low-profile ultra-thin-walled composite roof deck, with only 17 pounds per square foot self-weight, 4-inch overall depth and only ¾-inch thick flanges and webs, with no shear reinforcement or stirrup. Two groups of specimens, single-cell and multi-cell, were fabricated and tested in four-point flexure to determine the ultimate bending capacity and ductility of the system. Each group of specimens included two short-span (9 ft.) samples (due to the laboratory constraints) -- one specimen subjected to positive bending and the other one subjected to negative bending, representing the critical loading conditions including the effects of wind pressures. All specimens exhibited pure flexural failure in a ductile behavior and with no sign of shear failure. Finite element models of laboratory specimens were also developed and calibrated based on experimental data in order to project the performance of the system for larger and more realistic spans. The experimental work and the finite element analyses showed that the proposed roof system with its given section has adequate flexural and shear strength, and also meets serviceability requirements for a 20-foot long span. Moreover, connections for the roof system were proposed, including panel-to-panel connections and roof-to-wall connections. In addition to safety, the other advantages of the proposed roof system in comparison to the equivalent reinforced concrete roofs include a three-fold reduction in self-weight, a three-fold reduction in overall profile height, and a five-fold reduction of steel reinforcement. Together, these advantages may lead to an increased span length beyond what is typically feasible for the conventional reinforced concrete slabs. All these features translate the proposed deck to a sustainable roof system.