• Computers and Concrete
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• v.12 no.3
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• pp.337-349
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• 2013

Traditional concrete is effectively an insulator in the dry state. However, conductive concrete can attain relatively high conductivity by adding a certain amount of electronically conductive components in the regular concrete matrix. The main purpose of this study is to investigate the electrical and thermal properties of conductive concrete with various graphite contents, specimen dimensions and applied voltages. For this purpose, six different mixtures (the control mixtures and five conductive mixtures with steel fibers of 2% by weight of coarse aggregate and graphite as fine aggregate replacement at the levels of 0%, 5%, 10%, 15% and 20% by weight) were prepared and concrete blocks with two types of dimensions were fabricated. Four test voltage levels, 48 V, 60 V, 110 V, and 220 V, were applied for the electrical and thermal tests. Test results show that the compressive strength of specimens decreases as the amount of graphite increases in concrete. The rising applied voltage decreases electrical resistivity and increases heat of concrete. Meanwhile, higher electrical current and temperature have been obtained in small size specimens than the comparable large size specimens. From the results, it can be concluded that the graphite contents, applied voltage levels, and the specimen dimensions play important roles in electrical and thermal properties of concrete. In addition, the superior electrical and thermal properties have been obtained in the mixture adding 2% steel fibers and 10% graphite.

• Computers and Concrete
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• v.2 no.3
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• pp.177-188
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• 2005

This paper presents a numerical model developed to evaluate the load-deflection and moment-curvature relationship for concrete beams strengthened externally with four different Fiber Reinforced Polymer (FRP) composite systems. The developed model considers the inelastic behavior of concrete section subjected to a combined axial force and bending moment. The model accounts for tensile strength of concrete as defined by the modulus of rupture of concrete. Based on the adopted material constitutive relations, the model evaluates the sectional curvature as a function of the applied axial load and bending moment. Deflections along the beam are evaluated using a finite difference technique taking into account support conditions. The developed numerical technique has been tested on a cantilever beam with a transverse load applied at its end. A study of the behavior of the beam with tension reinforcement compared to that with FRP areas giving an equivalent ultimate moment has been carried out. Moreover, cracking of the section in the tensile region at ultimate load has also been considered. The results indicated that beams reinforced with FRP systems possess more ductility than those reinforced with steel. This ductility, however, can be tuned by increasing the area of FRP or by combining different FRP layers.

• Computers and Concrete
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• v.2 no.3
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• pp.239-248
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• 2005

The article presents the results of examination of the fractal dimension D of concrete specimen fracture surfaces obtained in fracture toughness tests. The concretes were made from three different types of coarse aggregate: gravel, dolomite and basalt aggregate. Ordinary concretes (C40) and high-performance concretes (HPC) were subjected to testing after 7, 14, 28 and 90 days of curing, respectively. In fracture toughness and compressive tests, different behaviours of concretes were found, depending on the type of aggregate and class of concrete (C40, HPC). A significant increase in the strength parameters tested occurred also after a period of 28 days (up to the $90^{th}$ day of curing) and was particularly large for concretes C40. Fractal examinations performed on fracture replicas showed that the fractal dimension D was diverse, depending on the coarse aggregate type and concrete class being, however, statistically constant after 7 and 14 days for respective concretes during curing. The fractal dimension D was the greater, the worse strength properties were possessed by the concrete. A cross-grain crack propagation occurred in that case, due to weak cohesion forces at the coarse aggregate/mortar interface. A similar effect was observed for C40 and HPC made from the same aggregate. A greater dimension D was exhibited by concretes C40, in which case the fracture was easier to form compared with high-performance concretes, where, as a result of high aggregate/mortar cohesion forces, the crack propagation was of inter-granular type, and the resulted fracture was flatter.

• Computers and Concrete
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• v.20 no.2
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• pp.197-204
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• 2017

Typically, high lime fly ash (Class C) has been characterized as a fly ash, which at lower replacement levels is not as effective as the low lime (Class F) fly ash, in mitigating alkali-silica reaction (ASR) in portland cement concrete. The influence of fineness of Class C, obtained by grinding virgin fly ash into finer particles, on its pozzolanic reactivity and ASR mitigation performance was investigated in this study. In order to assess the pozzolanic reactivity of mortar mixtures containing virgin or ground fly ashes, the strength activity index (SAI) test and thermo-gravimetric analysis (TGA) were conducted on the mortar cubes and paste samples, respectively, containing virgin fly ash or two ground fly ashes. In addition, to evaluate any improvement in the ASR mitigation of ground fly ashes compared to that of the virgin fly ash, the accelerated mortar bar test (AMBT) was conducted on the mortar mixtures containing different dosages of either virgin or ground fly ashes. In all tests crushed glass aggregate was used as a highly reactive aggregate. Results from this study showed that the finest fly ash (i.e., with an average particle size of 3.1 microns) could increase the flow ability along with the pozzolanic reactivity of the mortar mixture. However, results from this study suggested that the fineness of high lime fly ash does not seem to have any significant effect on ASR mitigation.

• Computers and Concrete
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• v.20 no.2
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• pp.247-255
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• 2017

This study aimed to develop a Rule Based Mamdani Type Fuzzy Logic (RBMFL) model to predict the flexural strengths and compressive strengths of blended cements under elevated temperatures. Clinoptilolite was used as cement substitution material in the experimental stage. Substitution ratios in the cement mortar mix designs were selected as 0% (reference), 5%, 10%, 15% and 20%. The data used in the modeling process were obtained experimentally, after mortar specimens having reached the age of 90 days and exposed to $300^{\circ}C$, $400^{\circ}C$, $500^{\circ}C$ temperatures for 3 hours. In the RBMFL model, temperature ($C^{\circ}$) and substitution ratio of clinoptilolite (%) were inputs while the compressive strengths and flexural strengths of mortars were outputs. Results were compared by using some statistical methods. Statistical comparison results showed that rule based Mamdani type fuzzy logic can be an alternative approach for the evaluation of the mechanical properties of concrete under elevated temperature.

• Computers and Concrete
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• v.20 no.2
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• pp.215-227
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• 2017

A finite element model (FEM) for predicting early-age behavior of reinforced concrete (RC) bridge deck slabs with fiber-reinforced polymer (FRP) bars is presented. In this model, the shrinkage profile of concrete accounted for the effect of surrounding conditions including air flow. The results of the model were verified against the experimental test results, published by the authors. The model was verified for cracking pattern, crack width and spacing, and reinforcement strains in the vicinity of the crack using different types and ratios of longitudinal reinforcement. The FEM was able to predict the experimental results within 6 to 10% error. The verified model was utilized to conduct a parametric study investigating the effect of four key parameters including reinforcement spacing, concrete cover, FRP bar type, and concrete compressive strength on the behavior of FRP-RC bridge deck slabs subjected to restrained shrinkage at early-age. It is concluded that a reinforcement ratio of 0.45% carbon FRP (CFRP) can control the early-age crack width and reinforcement strain in CFRP-RC members subjected to restrained shrinkage. Also, the results indicate that changing the bond-slippage characteristics (sand-coated and ribbed bars) or concrete cover had an insignificant effect on the early-age crack behavior of FRP-RC bridge deck slabs subjected to shrinkage. However, reducing bar spacing and concrete strength resulted in a decrease in crack width and reinforcement strain.

• Computers and Concrete
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• v.20 no.2
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• pp.165-176
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• 2017

Textile Reinforced Cementitious Composite (TRCC) became the most common construction material lately and have excellent properties. TRCC can be employed in the manufacture of thin-walled facade elements, load-bearing integrated formwork, tunnel linings or in the strengthening of existing structures. These composite materials are a combination of matrix and textile materials. There isn't much research done about the usage of polymer modified matrices in textile reinforced cementitious composites. In this study, matrix materials named as fine grained concretes ($d_{max}{\leq}1.0mm$) were investigated. Air entraining effect of polymer modifiers were analyzed and air void content of fine grained concretes were identified with different methods. Aim of this research is to study the effect of polymer modification on the air content of fine grained concretes and the role of defoamer in controlling it. Polymer modifiers caused excessive air entrainment in all mixtures and defoamer material successfully lowered down the air content in all mixtures. Latex polymer modified mixtures had higher air content than redispersible powder modified ones. Air void analysis test was performed on selected mixtures. Air void parameters were compared with the values taken from air content meter. Close results were obtained with tests and air void analysis test found to be useful and applicable to fine grained concretes. Air void content in polymer modified matrix material used in TRCC found significant because of affecting mechanical and permeability parameters directly.

• Computers and Concrete
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• v.21 no.2
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• pp.167-179
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• 2018

Reactive powder concrete (RPC) is a type of ultra-high strength cement-based material with a dense microstructure, which is made of ultra-fine powders. RPC demonstrate a very brittle behavior, thus adding fibers improves its mechanical properties. In this study, it was attempted to investigate the effect of using steel and polyvinyl alcohol (PVA) fibers as well as their combination on the properties of RPC. In this regard, hooked-end crimped steel fibers together with short PVA fibers were utilized. Steel and PVA fibers were used with the maximum volume fraction of 3% and 0.75%, respectively, and also different combinations of these fibers were used with the maximum volume fraction of 1% in the concrete mixes. In total, 107 concrete specimens were prepared, and the effect of fiber type and volume fraction on the physico-mechanical properties of RPC including compressive strength, tensile strength, modulus of elasticity, density, and failure mode was explored. In addition, the effect of the curing type on the properties of compressive strength, modulus of elasticity, and density of RPC was evaluated. Finally, coefficients for conversion of cubic compressive strength to cylindrical one for the RPC specimens were obtained under the two curing regimes of heat treatment and standard water curing.

• Computers and Concrete
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• v.21 no.2
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• pp.149-156
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• 2018

This paper investigated the influence of binary and ternary blends of mineral admixtures in self-compacted mortar (SCM) on the fresh, mechanical and durability properties. For this purpose, 25 mortar mixtures were prepared having a total binder content of $640kg/cm^3$ and water/binder ratio between 0.41 and 0.50. All the mixtures consisted of Portland cement (PC), fly ash (FA) and silica fume (SF) as binary and ternary blends and air-entrained admixture wasn't used while control mixture contained only PC. The compressive and tensile strength tests were conducted for 28 and 91 days as well as slump-flow and V-funnel time tests whilst freeze-thaw (F-T) resistance and capillary water absorption tests were made for 91-day. Finally, in general, the use of SF with FA as ternary blends improved the tensile strength of mortars at 28- and 91-day while the use of SF15 with FA increased the compressive strength of the mortars compared to binary blends of FA. SCM mixtures with ternary blends had lower the sorptivity values than that of the mortars with binary blends of FA and the control mixture due to the beneficial properties of SF while the use of FA with SF as ternary blends induced the F-T resistance enhancement.

• Computers and Concrete
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• v.21 no.2
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• pp.181-187
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• 2018

In order to solve the life prediction problem of damaged coating steel bar in magnesium cement concrete, this study tries to establish the marginal distribution function by using the corrosion current density as a single degradation factor. Representing the degree of steel corrosion, the corrosion current density were tested in electrochemical workstation. Then based on the Copula function, the joint distribution function of the damaged coating was established. Therefore, it is indicated that the corrosion current density of the bare steel and coated steel bar can be used as the boundary element to establish the marginal distribution function. By using the Frank-Copula function of Copula Archimedean function family, the joint distribution function of the damaged coating steel bar was successfully established. Finally, the life of the damaged coating steel bar has been lost in 7320d. As a new method for the corrosion of steel bar under the multi-dimensional factors, the two-dimensional Copula function has certain practical significance by putting forward some new ideas.