• Journal of Korean Association for Spatial Structures
• /
• v.15 no.2
• /
• pp.69-77
• /
• 2015

Ultra High Performance Fiber Reinforced Concrete (UHPFRC) has a outstanding tensile hardening behaviour after a crack develops, which gives ductility to structures. Existing shear strength model for fiber reinforced concrete is entirely based on crack opening behavior(mode I) which comes from flexural-shear failure, not considering shear-slip behavior(mode II). To find out the mode I and mode II behavior on a crack in UHPFRC simultaneously, maximum shear strength of cracked UHPFRC is investigated from twenty-four push-off test results. The shear stress on a crack is derived as variable of initial crack width and fiber volume ratio. Test results show that shear slippage is proportional to crack opening, which leads to relationship between shear transfer strength and crack width. Based on the test results a hypothesis is proposed for the physical mechanics of shear transfer in UHPFRC by tensile hardening behavior in stead of aggregate interlocking in reinforced concrete. Shear transfer strength based on tensile hardening behavior in UHPFRC is suggested and this suggestion was verified by comparing direct tensile test results and push-off test results.

• Advances in concrete construction
• /
• v.7 no.4
• /
• pp.219-229
• /
• 2019

This paper presents an experimental study on the structural performance of an innovative ultra-high performance fiber reinforced concrete (UHPFRC) deck with coarse aggregate of composite bridge under shear force. Test parameters included curing method and shear span-to-height ratio. Test results indicated that more short fine cracks developed beside the existing cracks due to the randomly dispersed fibers, resulting in re-distributing and homogenizing of the concrete stress beside cracks and allowing for the occurrence of more cracks with small spacing compared to normal strength concrete beams. Curing methods, incorporating steam curing and natural curing, did not have obvious effect on the nominal bending cracking strength and the ultimate strength of the test specimens. Shear reinforcement need not be provided for UHPFRC decks with a fiber volume fraction of 2%. UHPFRC decks showed superior load resistance ability after the appearance of cracks and excellent post-cracking deformability. Lastly, the current shear provisions were evaluated by the test results.

• Earthquakes and Structures
• /
• v.19 no.5
• /
• pp.361-377
• /
• 2020

In the present research work, the effectiveness and the efficiency of a retrofitting approach using a layer of ultra-high performance fiber reinforced concrete (UHPFRC) jacket for damaged substandard exterior beam-column joints (BCJs) is experimentally investigated. The main objective of this study is to rehabilitate the already damaged BCJs to meet the serviceability requirements without compromising safety. According to the proposed strengthening technique, a chipped surface, lightly brushed with a dry condition was selected for making a successful bond between normal concrete substrate surface (NCSS) and UHPFRC. Then a fresh UHPFRC jacket with a thickness of 30 mm was cast around the damaged specimens. The entire test matrix was comprised of three 1/3 scale damaged exterior BCJs with a different column axial load (CAL). These specimens were repaired with UHPFRC and retested under monotonic loading. Based on the experimental results, repaired specimens showed an excellent performance in terms of their load-displacement response, maximum strength, displacement ductility, initial stiffness, secant stiffness and energy dissipation capacity when compared with the corresponding values registered when these specimens were tested in their virgin state. This rehabilitative intervention not only restored the strength, stiffness, ductility and energy dissipation capacity of severely damaged specimens but also improved their performance.

• Journal of the Korea Concrete Institute
• /
• v.27 no.3
• /
• pp.299-309
• /
• 2015

Ultra High Performance Fiber Reinforced Concrete (UHPFRC) is distinguished from the normal concrete by outstanding compressive and tensile strength. Cracked normal concrete resists shear by aggregate interlocking while clamped by transverse reinforcement, which is called as shear friction theory. Cracked UHPFRC is expected to have a different shear transfer mechanism due to rather smooth crack face and post-cracking behavior under tensile force. Twenty-four push-off specimens with transverse reinforcement are tested for four different fiber volume ratio and three different ratio of reinforcement along the shear plane. The shear friction strength for monolithic concrete are suggested by limit analysis of plasticity and verified by test results. Plastic analysis gives a conservative, but reasonable estimate. The suggested shear friction factor and effectiveness factor of UHPFRC can be applied for interface shear transfer design of high-strength concrete and fiber reinforced concrete with post-cracking tensile strength.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Hazard Mitigation
• /
• v.8 no.2
• /
• pp.51-58
• /
• 2008

This study is to investigate the ultimate shear load of prestressed girder made of Ultra High Performance Fiber Reinforced Concrete (UHPFRC). Nine girders were tested until failure in shear. An analytical model to predict the ultimate shear load was formulated based on the Two Bounds Theory. A fiber reinforcing model was constituted based on the random assumption of steel fiber uniform distribution. The predicted values were compared with the conventional predictions and the test results. The proposed equations for computing the ultimate shear strength can be used for the ultimate failure status analysis, which could also be utilized for numerical limit analysis of prestressed UHPFRC girder. The established fiber reinforcing theoretical model can also be a reference for micro-mechanics analysis of UHPFRC.

• Computers and Concrete
• /
• v.24 no.1
• /
• pp.37-49
• /
• 2019

In this study, the shear behaviour of reinforced concrete (RC) beams that were retrofitted using precast panels of ultra-high performance fiber reinforced concrete (UHPFRC) is presented. The precast UHPFRC panels were glued to the side surfaces of RC beams using epoxy adhesive in two different configurations: (i) retrofitting two sides, and (ii) retrofitting three sides. Experimental tests on the adhesive bond were conducted to estimate the bond capacity between the UHPFRC and normal concrete. All the specimens were tested in shear under varying levels of shear span-to-depth ratio (a/d=1.0; 1.5). For both types of configuration, the retrofitted specimens exhibited a significant improvement in terms of stiffness, load carrying capacity and failure mode. In addition, the UHPFRC retrofitting panels glued in three-sides shifted the failure from brittle shear to a more ductile flexural failure with enhancing the shear capacity up to 70%. This was more noticeable in beams that were tested with a/d=1.5. An approach for the approximation of the failure capacity of the retrofitted RC beams was evolved using a multi-level regression of the data obtained from the experimental work. The predicted values of strength have been validated by comparing them with the available test data. In addition, a 3-D finite element model (FEM) was developed to estimate the failure load and overall behaviour of the retrofitted beams. The FEM of the retrofitted beams was conducted using the non-linear finite element software ABAQUS.

• Journal of the Korea Concrete Institute
• /
• v.28 no.6
• /
• pp.637-646
• /
• 2016

In this study, slant shear tests for the prism specimens strengthened with ultra-high performance fiber reinforced concrete (UHPFRC), normal- and high-strength concrete were performed to evaluate the interfacial shear strength between old and new concrete substrate. Test parameters are the roughness of surface, concrete strength, and fiber volume fraction of UHPFRC. The surface of the concrete was roughened by shot blasting. Test results showed that the adhesion bond resistance of the specimen with a roughened surface was very large compared to that of the specimen with a smooth surface. In addition, the interfacial shear strength appeared to be affected by the concrete strength rather than the fiber volume fraction. For the roughened surface by shot-blasting method, interfacial shear resistance exceeded the upper limit which is presented in current design codes even if the shear-friction reinforcements are not provided. Based on the test results, it is applicable to use the current concrete design codes to achieve the shear-friction design for the interface between conventional concrete and UHPFRC. However, for the surface which is not processed, it would be appropriate to provide additional shear-friction reinforcement.

• Steel and Composite Structures
• /
• v.37 no.2
• /
• pp.211-227
• /
• 2020

To explore the feasibility of eliminating the longitudinal rebars and stirrups by using ultra-high-performance fiber reinforcement concrete (UHPFRC) in concrete encased steel composite stub column, compressive behavior of UHPFRC encased steel stub column has been experimentally investigated. Effect of concrete types (normal strength concrete, high strength concrete and UHPFRC), fiber fractions, and transverse reinforcement ratio on failure mode, ductility behavior and axial compressive resistance of composite columns have been quantified through axial compression tests. The experimental results show that concrete encased composite columns with NSC and HSC exhibit concrete crushing and spalling failure, respectively, while composite columns using UHPFRC exhibit concrete spitting and no concrete spalling is observed after failure. The incorporation of steel fiber as micro reinforcement significantly improves the concrete toughness, restrains the crack propagation and thus avoids the concrete spalling. No evidence of local buckling of rebars or yielding of stirrups has been detected in composite columns using UHPFRC. Steel fibers improve the bond strength between the concrete and, rebars and core shaped steel which contribute to the improvement of confining pressure on concrete. Three prediction models in Eurocode 4, AISC 360 and JGJ 138 and a proposed toughness index (T.I.) are employed to evaluate the compressive resistance and post peak ductility of the composite columns. It is found that all these three models predict close the compressive resistance of UHPFRC encased composite columns with/without the transverse reinforcement. UHPFRC encased composite columns can achieve a comparable level of ductility with the reinforced concrete (RC) columns using normal strength concrete. In terms of compressive resistance behavior, the feasibility of UHPFRC encased steel composite stub columns with lesser longitudinal reinforcement and stirrups has been verified in this study.

• Structural Engineering and Mechanics
• /
• v.81 no.3
• /
• pp.305-316
• /
• 2022

Externally bonded ultrahigh performance fiber-reinforced concrete (UHPFRC) is commonly used as a strengthening material for reinforced concrete (RC) structures. This study reports the results of an experimental program investigating the bonding behavior between concrete and prefabricated UHPFRC plates. The overall experimental program is consisting of five RC specimens, which are strengthened using the different lengths and widths of prefabricated UHPFRC plates. These specimens were analyzed using the pull-pull double-shear test. The performance of each strengthened specimen is presented, discussed and compared in terms of failure mode, maximum load, load-slip relationship, fracture energy and strain distribution. Specimen C-25-160-300 which bonded along the whole width of 160 mm recorded the highest maximum load (109.2 kN) among all the analysed specimens. Moreover, a 3D numerical finite element model (FEM) is proposed to simulate the bond behavior between concrete and UHPFRC plates. Moreover, this study reviews the analytical models that can predict the relationship between the maximum bond stress and slip for strengthened concrete elements. The proposed FEM is verified against the experimental program and then used to test 36 RC specimens strengthened with prefabricated UHPFRC plates with different concrete grades and UHPFRC plate widths. The obtained results together with the review of analytical models helped in the formation of a design equation for estimating the bond stress between concrete and prefabricated UHPFRC plates.

• Steel and Composite Structures
• /
• v.42 no.3
• /
• pp.325-351
• /
• 2022

This paper studies the lateral impact behavior of ultra-high performance fiber-reinforced concrete (UHPFRC) filled double-skin steel tubular (UHPFRCFDST) columns. The impact force, midspan deflection, and strain histories were recorded. Based on the test results, the influences of drop height, axial load, concrete type, and steel tube wall thickness on the impact resistance of UHPFRCFDST members were analyzed. LS-DYNA software was used to establish a finite element (FE) model of UHPFRC filled steel tubular members. The failure modes and histories of impact force and midspan deflection of specimens were obtained. The simulation results were compared to the test results, which demonstrated the accuracy of the finite element analysis (FEA) model. Finally, the effects of the steel tube thickness, impact energy, type of concrete and impact indenter shape, and void ratio on the lateral impact performances of the UHPFRCFDST columns were analyzed.