• Advances in concrete construction
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• 제9권1호
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• pp.55-70
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• 2020

In this research article, acid resistance, sulphate resistance and sorptivity of self compacted concrete (SCC) prepared from C&D waste have been discussed. To improve the above properties of self compacted recycled aggregate concrete (SCRAC) along with mechanical and durability properties, different two stage mixing approaches (TSMA and TSMAsfc) were followed. In the proposed two stage mixing approach (TSMAsfc), silica fume, a proportional amount of cement and a proportional amount of water were mixed in premix stage which fills the pores and cracks of recycled aggregate concrete (RAC). The concrete specimen prepared using above mixing approaches were immersed in 1% concentration of sulphuric acid (H2SO4) and magnesium sulphate (MgSO4) solution for 28, 90 and 180 days for evaluating the acid resistance of SCRAC. Experimental results concluded that the proposed two stage mixing approach (TSMAsfc) is most suitable for acid resistance and sulphate resistance in terms of weight loss and strength loss due to the elimination of pores and cracks in the interfacial transition zone (ITZ). In modified two stage mixing approach, the pores and cracks of recycled concrete aggregate (RCA) were filled up and make ITZs of SCRAC stronger. Microstructure analysis was carried out to justify the reason of improvement of ITZs by electron probe micro analyser (EPMA) analysis. X-ray mapping was also done to know the presence of strength contributing elements presents in the concrete sample. It was established that SCRAC with modified mixing approach have shown improved results in terms of acid resistance, sulphate resistance, sorptivity and mechanical properties.

• Advances in concrete construction
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• 제9권1호
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• pp.83-92
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• 2020

The use of spliced reinforcing bars in sustainable concrete members to manage inadequate bars length is a common practical issue which is may be due to some limitations. The lap splicing means two bars overlapped in parallel with specified length called the splice length in order to provide the required bond between the two bars. The bond between sustainable concrete and spliced steel bars is another important issue. The normal strength sustainable concrete specimens of sizes 1700×150×150 mm with tension reinforcement lap spliced were selected according to testing device length limitations. These members were designed to fail in flexure in order to investigate the lap spliced tension bars effect. The selected lap spliced tension bars were of 10 mm size with smooth and deformed surfaces in order to investigate the surface nature accompanied with the splice nature. The sustainable concrete mechanical properties and mix workability were also studied. This study reveals that the effect of number of spliced bars on the response of beams reinforced with smooth bars is found to be more obvious than deformed one. Finite element modeling in three dimensions was carried out for the tested beams using ABAQUS software. A parametric study is carried out using finite elements on considering the following parameters, concrete compressive strength, load type and opening in cross section (hollow section) for weight reduction purposes.The laboratory and numerical results show good agreements in terms of ultimate load and deflection with an average difference of 10% and 15% in ultimate load and deflection respectively.

• Advances in concrete construction
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• 제9권1호
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• pp.71-82
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• 2020

One of the most suitable methods in structural design is seismic separator. Lead-Rubber Bearing (LRB) is one of the most well-known separation systems which can be used in different types of structures. This system mitigates the earthquake acceleration prior to transferring to the structure efficiently. However, the performance of this system in concrete structures with different heights have not been evaluated thoroughly yet. This paper aims to evaluate the performance of LRB separation system in concrete structures with different heights. For this purpose, three, 16, and 23 story concrete structures are equipped by LRB and exposed to a far-field earthquake. Next, a time history analysis is conducted on each of the structures. Finally, the performance of the concrete structures is compared with each other in the term of their response to the earthquakes and the formation of plastic hinges. The results of the paper show that the rate of change in acceleration response and the ratio of drift along the height of 8 and 23 stories concrete structures are more than those of the 16-stories, and the use of LRB reduces the formation of plastic joints.

• Advances in concrete construction
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• 제9권3호
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• pp.267-278
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• 2020

This paper reports on the result of an experimental investigation carried out to study the compressive strength and sorptivity properties of blended cement concrete exposed to 5% and 10% MgSO₄ solution using fly ash (FA) and silpozz. Usually in sulphate environment the minimum grade of concrete is M30 and the mix design is done for target mean strength of 39 MPa. Silpozz is manufactured by burning of agro-waste rice husk in designed furnace in between 600° to 700℃ which is one of the main agricultural residues obtained from the outer covering of rice grains during the milling process. There are four mix series taken with control mix. The control mix made 0% replacement of FA and silpozz with Ordinary Portland Cement (OPC). The first mix series made 0% FA and 10-30% replacement of silpozz with OPC. The second mix series made with 10% FA and 10-40% replacement of silpozz with OPC. The third mix series made 20% FA and 10-30% replacement of silpozz with OPC and the fourth mix series made 30% FA and 10-20% silpozz replaced with OPC. The samples (cubes) are prepared and cured in normal water and 5% and 10% MgSO₄ solution for 7, 28 and 90 days. The studied parameters are compressive strength and strength deterioration factor (SDF) for 7, 28 and 90 days. The water absorption and sorptivity tests have been done after 28 days of normal water and magnesium sulphate solution curing. The investigation reflects that the blended cement concrete incorporating FA and silpozz showing better resistance against MgSO₄ solution when compared to normal water curing (NWC) samples.

• Advances in concrete construction
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• 제9권3호
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• pp.313-326
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• 2020

Glass fiber-reinforced polymer (GFRP) bars have been introduced as an effective alternative for the conventional steel reinforcement in concrete structures to mitigate the costly consequences of steel corrosion. However, despite the superior performance of these composite materials in terms of corrosion, the effect of replacing steel reinforcement with GFRP on the seismic performance of concrete structures is not fully covered yet. To address some of the key parameters in the seismic behavior of GFRP-reinforced concrete (RC) structures, two full-scale beam-column joints reinforced with GFRP bars and stirrups were constructed and tested under two phases of loading, each simulating a severe ground motion. The objective was to investigate the effect of damage due to earthquakes on the service and ultimate behavior of GFRP-RC moment-resisting frames. The main parameters under investigation were geometrical configuration (interior or exterior beam-column joint) and joint shear stress. The performance of the specimens was measured in terms of lateral load-drift response, energy dissipation, mode of failure and stress distribution. Moreover, the effect of concrete damage due to earthquake loading on the performance of beam-column joints under service loading was investigated and a modified damage index was proposed to quantify the magnitude of damage in GFRP-RC beam-column joints under dynamic loading. Test results indicated that the geometrical configuration significantly affects the level of concrete damage and energy dissipation. Moreover, the level of residual damage in GFRP-RC beam-column joints after undergoing lateral displacements was related to reinforcement ratio of the main beams.

• Advances in concrete construction
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• 제9권3호
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• pp.235-248
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• 2020

Progressive collapse in a structure occurs when load bearing members are failed and the adjoining structural elements cannot resist the redistributed forces and fails subsequently, that leads to complete collapse of structure. Recently, construction using precast concrete technology is adopted increasingly because it offers many advantages like faster construction, less requirement of skilled labours at site, reduced formwork and scaffolding, massive production with reduced amount of construction waste, better quality and better surface finishing as compared to conventional reinforced concrete construction. Connections are the critical elements for any precast structure, because in past, major collapse of precast structure took place because of connection failure. In this study, behavior of four different precast wet connections with U shaped reinforcement bars provided at different locations is evaluated. Reduced 1/3^rd scale precast beam column assemblies having two span beam and three columns with removed middle column are constructed and examined by performing experiments. The response of precast connections is compared with monolithic connection, under column removal scenario. The connection region of test specimens are filled by cast-in-place micro concrete with and without polypropylene fibers. Performance of specimen is evaluated on the basis of ultimate load carrying capacity, maximum deflection at the location of removed middle column, crack formation and failure propagation. Further, Finite element (FE) analysis is carried out for validation of experimental studies and understanding the performance of structural components. Monolithic and precast beam column assemblies are modeled using non-linear Finite Element (FE) analysis based software ABAQUS. Actual experimental conditions are simulated using appropriate boundary and loading conditions. Finite Element simulation results in terms of load versus deflection are compared with that of experimental study. The nonlinear FE analysis results shows good agreement with experimental results.

• Advances in concrete construction
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• 제6권2호
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• pp.123-143
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• 2018

Self compacting concrete (SCC) has good flowability, passability and segregation resistance because of voluminous cementitious material & high coarse aggregate to fine aggregate ratio, and high free water availability. But these factors make it highly susceptible to shrinkage. Fibers are known to reduce shrinkage in concrete mixes. Until now for conserving cement, only pozzolanic materials are admixed in concrete to yield a SCC. Hence, this study compares the use of wollastonite micro fiber (WMF), a cheap pozzolanic easily processed raw mineral fiber, and flyash in yielding economical SCC for rigid pavement. Microsilica was used as a complimentary material with both admixtures. Since WMF has large surface area ($827m^2/kg$), is acicular in nature; therefore its use in yielding SCC was dubious. Binary and ternary mixes were constituted for WMF and flyash, respectively. Paste mixes were tested for compatibility with superplasticizer and trials were performed on a normal concrete mix of flexural strength 4.5 MPa to yield SCC. Flexural strength test and restrained shrinkage test were performed on those mixes, which qualified self compacting criteria. Results revealed that WMF admixed pastes have high water demand, and comparable setting times to flyash mixes. Workability tests showed that 20% WMF with microsilica (5-7.5%) is efficient enough in achieving SCC and higher flexural strength than normal concrete at 90 days. Also, stress rate due to shrinkage was lesser and time duration for final strain was higher in WMF admixed SCC which encourages its use in yielding a SCC than pozzolanic materials.

• Advances in concrete construction
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• 제6권2호
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• pp.199-220
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• 2018

In this study, the effects of sulphuric acid on the mechanical performance and the durability of Engineered Cementitious Composites (ECC) specimens were investigated. The carbon fiber reinforced polymer (CFRP) and basalt fiber reinforced polymer (BFRP) fabrics were used to evaluate the performances of the confined and unconfined ECC specimens under static and cyclic loading in the acidic environment. In addition, the use of CFRP and BFRP fabrics as a rehabilitation technique was also studied for the specimens exposed to the sulphuric acid environment. The polyvinyl alcohol (PVA) fiber with a fraction of 2% was used in the research. Two different PVA-ECC concretes were produced using low lime fly ash (LCFA) and high lime fly ash (HCFA) with the fly ash-to-OPC ratio of 1.2. Unwrapped PVA-ECC specimens were also produced as a reference concrete and all concrete specimens were continuously immersed in 5% sulphuric acid solution ($H_2SO_4$). The mechanical performance and the durability of specimens were evaluated by means of the visual inspection, weight change, static and cyclic loading, and failure mode. In addition, microscopic changes of the PVA-ECC specimens due to sulphuric acid attack were also assessed using scanning electron microscopy (SEM) to understand the macroscale behavior of the specimens. Results indicated that PVA-ECC specimens produced with low lime fly ash (LCFA) showed superior performance than the specimens produced with high lime fly ash (HCFA) in the acidic environment. In addition, confinement of ECC specimens with BFRP and CFRP fabrics significantly improved compressive strength, ductility, and durability of the specimens. PVA-ECC specimens wrapped with carbon FRP fabric showed better mechanical performance and durability properties than the specimens wrapped with basalt FRP fabric. Both FRP materials can be used as a rehabilitation material in the acidic environment.

• Advances in concrete construction
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• 제6권2호
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• pp.177-197
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• 2018

This paper presents a case study about the damages on the structural elements of a cast in place reinforced concrete (RC) building after a big fire which was able to be controlled after six hours. The fire broke off at the $2^{nd}$ basement floor of the building, which has five basements, one ground, and two normal floors. As a result of intensely stocked ignitable materials, it spread out to the all of the upstairs. In visual inspection, most of the typical fire damages were observed (such as spalling, net-like cracks, crumbled plasters, bared or visible reinforcement). Also, failures of the $2^{nd}$ basement columns were encountered. It has been concluded that the severity failures of the columns at the $2^{nd}$ basement caused utterly deformation of the building, which is responsible for the massive damages on the beam-column connections. All of the observed damages were categorized related to the types and presented separated regarding the floors. Besides to the visual inspection, the numerical analysis was run to verify the observed damaged on the building for columns, beams, and the connection regions. It is concluded from the study that several parameters such as duration of the fire, level of the temperature influence on the damages to the RC building. Also, it is highlighted by the study that if the damaged building is considered on the overall structural system, it is not able to satisfy the minimum service requirements neither gravity loads nor earthquake conditions.

• Advances in concrete construction
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• 제6권2호
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• pp.103-121
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• 2018

This paper reports the effects of coarse and fine recycled concrete aggregates (RCA) on fresh and hardened properties of self-compacting concrete (SCC) containing ground granulated blast-furnace slag (GGBFS) as cement replacement. For this purpose, three SCC mixes groups, were produced at a constant water to binder ratio of 0.38. Both fine and coarse recycled aggregates were used as natural aggregates (NA) replacement at different substitution levels of 0%, 25%, 50%, 75% and 100% by volume for each mix group. Each group, included 0, 15% or 30% GGBFS as Portland cement replacement by weight. The SCC properties investigated were self-compactability parameters (i.e., slump flow, T500 time, V-funnel flow time, L-box passing ability and sieve stability), compressive strength, capillary water absorption and water penetration depth. The results show that the combined use of RCA with GGBFS had a significant effect on fresh and hardened SCC mixes. The addition of both fine and coarse recycled aggregates as a substitution up to 50% of natural aggregates enhance the workability of SCC mixes, whereas the addition from 50 to 100% decreases the workability, whatever the slag content used as cement replacement. An enhancement of workability of SCC mixes with recycled aggregates was noticed as increasing GGBFS from 0 to 30%. RCA content of 25% to 50% as NA replacement and cement replacement of 15% GGBFS seems to be the optimum level to produce satisfactory SCC without any bleeding or segregation. Furthermore, the addition of slag to recycled concrete aggregates of SCC mixes reduces strength losses at the long term (56 and 90 days). However, a decrease in the capillary water absorption and water permeability depth was noticed, when using RCA mixes with slag.