• Computers and Concrete
• /
• v.15 no.6
• /
• pp.935-950
• /
• 2015

The aim of this study is to provide experimental data regarding the compressive, shear and torsional strength of self-compacting concrete (SCC) used in rectangular beams, and then comparing the results with the equations presented by the CSA A23.3-04 and ACI 318-11. In fact, the gathered information in this field is quite useful for calibrating the computer models of other researchers. The other goal of this study was to investigate the effects of silica fume and superplasticizer dosages on the mechanical properties of SCC. In this research, SCC is made based on 16 different type mixing layout. Also two normal concrete (NC) or vibrating concrete are constructed to compare the results of SCC and NC. This work concentrated on concrete mixes having water/binder ratios of 0.45 and 0.35, which contained constant total binder contents of $400kg/m^3$ and $500kg/m^3$, respectively. The percentages of silica fume that replaced cement were 0% and 10%. The superplasticizer dosages utilized in the mixtures were 0.4%, 0.8%, 1.2% and 1.6% of the weight of cement. Beam dimensions used in this test were $30{\times}30{\times}120cm^3$. The results of this research indicated that shear and torsional strength of SCC beams to be used in computer models can be calculated utilizing the equations presented in CSA A23.3-04 and ACI 318-11.

• Computers and Concrete
• /
• v.25 no.5
• /
• pp.401-409
• /
• 2020

Artificial neural networks are used as a useful tool in distinct fields of civil engineering these days. In order to control long-term quality of Self-Compacting Semi-Lightweight Concrete (SCSLC), the 90 days compressive strength is considered as a key issue in this paper. In fact, combined artificial neural networks are used to predict the compressive strength of SCSLC at 28 and 90 days. These networks are able to re-establish non-linear and complex relationships straightforwardly. In this study, two types of neural networks, including Radial Basis and Multilayer Perceptron, were used. Four groups of concrete mix designs also were made with two water to cement ratios (W/C) of 0.35 and 0.4, as well as 10% of cement weight was replaced with silica fume in half of the mixes, and different amounts of superplasticizer were used. With the help of rheology test and compressive strength results at 7 and 14 days as inputs, the neural networks were used to estimate the 28 and 90 days compressive strengths of above-mentioned mixes. It was necessary to add the 14 days compressive strength in the input layer to gain acceptable results for 90 days compressive strength. Then proper neural networks were prepared for each mix, following which four existing networks were combined, and the combinatorial neural network model properly predicted the compressive strength of different mix designs.

• Steel and Composite Structures
• /
• v.18 no.3
• /
• pp.623-639
• /
• 2015

Self-compacting Concrete (SCC) Filled Square steel Tubes (SCFST) was used to strengthen square RC columns. To establish the efficiency of this strengthening method, 17 columns were tested under axial compression loading including 3 RC columns without any strengthening (WRC), 1 RC column strengthened with concrete jacket (CRC), 13 RC columns strengthened with self-compacting concrete filled square steel tubes (SRC). The experimental results showed that the use of SCFST is interesting since the ductility and the bearing capacity of the RC columns are greatly improved. The improvement ratio is significantly affected by the nominal wall thickness of steel tubes (t), the strength grade of strengthening concrete (C), and the length-to-width ratio (L / B) of the specimens. In order to quantitatively analyze the effect of these test parameters on axial loading behavior of the SRC columns, three performance indices, enhancement ratio (ER), ductility index (DI), and confinement ratio (CR), were used. The strength of the SRC columns obtained from the experiments was then employed to verify the proposed mode referring to the relevant codes. It was found that codes DBJ13-51 could relatively predict the strength of the SRC columns accurately, and codes AIJ and BS5400 were relatively conservative.

• Computers and Concrete
• /
• v.24 no.4
• /
• pp.283-293
• /
• 2019

The limited availability of raw materials and increasing service demands for pavements pose a unique challenge in terms of pavement design and concrete material selection. The self-compacting rubberized concrete (SCRC) can be used in pavement design. The SCRC pavement slab has advantages of excellent toughness, anti-fatigue and convenient construction. On the premise of satisfying the strength, the SCRC can increase the ductility of pavement slab. The aim of this investigation is proposing a new method to predict the crack growth and flexural capacity of large-scale SCRC slabs. The mechanical properties of SCRC are obtained from experiments on small-scale SCRC specimens. With the increasing of the specimen depth, the bearing capacity of SCRC beams decreases at the same initial crack-depth ratio. By constructing extended finite element method (XFEM) models, crack growth and flexural capacity of large-scale SCRC slabs with different fracture types and force conditions can be predicted. Considering the diversity of fracture types and force conditions of the concrete pavement slab, the corresponding test was used to verify the reliability of the prediction model. The crack growth and flexural capacity of SCRC slabs can be obtained from XFEM models. It is convenient to conduct the experiment and can save cost.

• Structural Engineering and Mechanics
• /
• v.59 no.1
• /
• pp.133-151
• /
• 2016

Self-Compacting Concrete (SCC) has been originally developed in Japan to offset a growing shortage of skilled labors, is a highly workable concrete, which is not needed to any vibration or impact during casting. The utilizing of fibers in SCC improves the mechanical properties and durability of hardened concrete such as impact strength, flexural strength, and vulnerability to cracking. The purpose of this investigation is to determine the effect of steel fibers on mechanical performance of traditionally reinforced Self-Competing Concrete beams. In this study, two mixes Mix 1% and Mix 2% containing 1% and 2% volume friction of superplasticizer are considered. For each type of mixture, four different volume percentages of 60/30 (length/diameter) fibers of 0.0%, 1.0%, 1.5% and 2% were used. The mechanical properties were determined through compressive and flexural tests. According to the experimental test results, an increase in the steel fibers volume fraction in Mix 1% and Mix 2% improves compressive strength slightly but decreases the workability and other rheological properties of SCC. On the other hand, results revealed that flexural strength, energy absorption capacity and toughness are increased by increasing the steel fiber volume fraction. The results clearly show that the use of fibers improves the post-cracking behavior. The average spacing of between cracks decrease by increasing the fiber volume fraction. Furthermore, fibers increase the tensile strength by bridging actions through the cracks. Therefore, steel fibers increase the ductility and energy absorption capacity of RC elements subjected to flexure.

• Advances in concrete construction
• /
• v.6 no.6
• /
• pp.631-643
• /
• 2018

The focus of this paper is given to the investigation of mechanical properties of steel fibre reinforced self-compacting concrete after being exposed to fire. The research programme covered tests of two sets of beams: specimens subjected to fire and specimens not subjected to fire. The fire test was conducted in an environment mirroring one of possible real fire situations where concrete surface for an extended period of time is directly exposed to flames. Micro-cracking of concrete surface after tests was digitally catalogued. Compressive strength was tested on cube specimens. Flexural strength and equivalent flexural strength were tested according to RILEM specifications. Damages of specimens caused by spalling were assessed on a volumetric basis. A comparison of results of both sets of specimens was performed. Significant differences of all tested properties between two sets of specimens were noted and analysed. It was proved that the limit of proportionality method should not be used for testing fire damaged beams. Flexural characteristics of steel fibre reinforced self-compacting concrete were significantly influenced by fire. The influence of fire on properties of steel fibre reinforced self-compacting concrete was discussed.

• Computers and Concrete
• /
• v.23 no.6
• /
• pp.409-419
• /
• 2019

In the present study, effect of size and placement of cubic specimens on compressive strength of self-compacting lightweight concrete (SCLC) were considered. To do so, 81 specimens of different sizes (50 mm, 75 mm, 100 mm, and 150 mm) were prepared by using three different mixes of SCLC. Results of the cured specimens were then used in regression analyses to find predictive equations with regard to both the placement direction and the size. Test results showed that the strength ratio in cases in which the direction of loading and placement were parallel, were higher than those specimens, whose configurations were normal between loading and placement. In addition, strength ratios in SCLC mixes were slightly higher than those are for self-compacting normal weight concrete. In order to analyze the effect of size on compressive strength the conventional size effect law as well as the modified size effect law (MSEL) were used. Besides, the convergence criterion of nonlinear regression process of size effect study has been discussed. Analyses of the results showed that the unconstraint nonlinear regression in size effect study of SCLC mixes could lead to erroneous results.

• Computers and Concrete
• /
• v.30 no.4
• /
• pp.257-267
• /
• 2022

Two different types of rubber aggregates (40 mesh rubber powder and 1-4 mm rubber particles respectively) were devised to substitute fine aggregates at 10%, 15%, 20% and 30% by volume in self-compacting concrete to investigate their basic mechanical properties. The results show that with the increase of rubber content, the reduction of compressive strength, splitting tensile strength and static modulus of elasticity gradually increase, and energy dissipation performance gradually increase. The rubber addition significantly reduces brittleness and decelerates damaged process. Whilst, the effect of rubber particles is greater when they are finer. Considering the mechanical properties, the optimal rubber content is 10%. It is recommended that the rubber volume content in rubberized concrete (RC) should not be higher than 20%. In addition, a constitutive model under uniaxial compression was proposed basing on the strain equivalent principle of Lemaitre and the damage theory, which was in good agreement with the test curves.

• The Journal of Engineering Geology
• /
• v.26 no.4
• /
• pp.439-445
• /
• 2016

The new airports apply the systematic runway foundation construction to build the high quality runways in order to take the leading position to win future aerial demands and stay ahead of competitors. This study is intended to supplement the weakness of existing standard compaction test to minimize residual settlement of lower weak foundation during operation of passenger berthage. The fill material was sampled from 4 construction sites using the fill material with diameter of 100mm or less, and the standard compacting test (KS F 2312), large circular mold compacting test, and water-replacement field density test (ASTM D 5030) were conducted. The regression analysis of correlation of the field density test and the standard indoor compaction test showed the unreliable value at P-value of 0.05, and the regression analysis of the field density test and the large indoor compaction test showed the high correlation with R value of 0.8878. It is judged that the construction of overall uniform quality can be assured as the site condition is truly reflected only if the compacting test method is selected in consideration of maximum size of fill material when evaluating the maximum dry density used in design and construction.

• Advances in materials Research
• /
• v.7 no.1
• /
• pp.45-72
• /
• 2018

In the present study, a special attention has been paid to the effects regarding the use of different superplasticizers in different dosages. To do so, 36 mixes of normal and self-compacting concrete with two water/binder ratios of 0.35 and 0.45, four different types of superplasticizer including melamine-formaldehyde, naphthalene-formaldehyde, carboxylic-ether and poly-carboxylate, four different superplasticizer/cement ratios of 0.4%, 0.8%, 1.2% and 1.6% and two silica fume/cement ratios of 0% and 10% have been cast. Moreover, the initial and final setting time of the pastes have been tested. For self-compacting mixes, flow time, slump flow, V-funnel, J-ring and L-box tests have been carried out as well as testing the compressive strength and rupture modulus. For normal concrete mixes,slump test has been conducted to assess the workability of the mix and then for each mix, the compressive strength and rupture modulus have been determined. The results indicate that in addition to the important role of superplasticizer type and dosage on fresh state properties of concrete, these parameters as well as the use of silica fume could affect the hardened state properties of the mixes. For instance, the mixes whose superplasticizer were poly-carboxylic-ether based showed better compressive and tensile strength than other mixes. Besides, the air contents showed robust dependency to the type of the superplasticizer. However, the use of silica fume decreased the air contents of the mixes.