• Advances in concrete construction
• /
• 제6권4호
• /
• pp.323-344
• /
• 2018

The study herein reports the impact of Steel Fiber (SF) and Ground Granulated Blast Furnaces slag (GGBFS) content on the fresh and hardened properties of fly ash (FA) based Self-Compacting Geopolymer Concrete (SCGC). Two series of self-compacting geopolymer concrete (SCGC) were formulated with a constant binder content of $450kg/m^3$ and at an alkaline-to-binder (a/b) ratio of 0.50. Fly ash (FA) was substituted with GGBFS with the replacement levels being 0%, 25%, 50%, 75%, and 100% by weight in each SCGC series. Steel fiber (SF) wasn't employed in the assembly of the initial concrete series whereas, within the second concrete series, an SF combination was achieved by a constant additional level of 1% by volume. Fresh properties of mixtures were through an experiment investigated in terms of slump flow diameter, T50 slump flow time, V-funnel flow time, and L-box height ratio. Moreover, the mechanical performance of the SCGCs was evaluated in terms of compressive strength, splitting tensile strength, and fracture toughness. Furthermore, a statistical analysis was applied in order to judge the importance of the experimental parameters, like GGBFS and SF contents. The experimental results indicated that the incorporation of SF had no vital impact on the fresh characteristics of the SCGC mixtures whereas GGBFS aggravated them. However, the incorporation of GGBFS was considerably improved the mechanical properties of SCGCs. Moreover, the incorporation of SF with the total different quantity of GGBFS replacement has considerably increased the mechanical properties of SCGCs, by close to (65%) for the splitting strength and (200%) for compressive strength.

• Advances in materials Research
• /
• 제7권1호
• /
• 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.

• Advances in concrete construction
• /
• 제10권5호
• /
• pp.455-462
• /
• 2020

This study investigated the effect of horizontal casting joints on the mechanical properties and structural behavior of sustainable self-compacting reinforced concrete beams (SCRCB). The experimental research consisted of two stages. The first stage used four types of concrete mixtures which were produced to indicate the effects of cement replaced with cement waste at 0%, 5%, 10%, and 15% by weight of cement content on fresh concrete properties of self-compacting concrete (SCC) such as, passing ability, filling ability, and segregation resistance. In addition, mechanical properties such as compressive, tensile, and flexural strength were also studied. The second stage selected the best mixture from the first stage and studied the effect of horizontal casting joints on the structural behavior of sustainable SCRCBs. The effect of horizontal casting joints on the mechanical properties and structural behavior were at the 25%, 50%, 75%, and 100% of sample height. Load deflection, failure mode, and theoretical analysis were studied. Results indicated that the incorporation of replacement with cement waste by 5% to 10% led to economic and environmental advantages, and the results were acceptable for fresh and mechanical properties. The results indicated that delaying the time for casting the second layer and increasing the cement waste in concrete mixtures had a great effect on the mechanical properties of SCC. The ultimate load capacity of horizontal casting joints reinforced concrete beams slightly decreased compared with the control beam. The maximum deflection of casting joint beams with 75% of samples height is similar with the control beam. The experimental results of reinforced concrete beams were substantially acceptable with the theoretical results. The failure modes obtained the best forced casting joint on the structural behavior at 50% height of casting in the beam.

• Structural Engineering and Mechanics
• /
• 제39권2호
• /
• pp.241-266
• /
• 2011

The Self Compacting Concrete, SCC is the new generation type of concrete which is not needed to be compacted by vibrator and it will be compacted by its own weight. Since SCC is a new innovation and also the high strength self compacting concrete, HSSCC behavior is like a brittle material, therefore, understanding the strength effect on the serviceability performance of reinforced self compacting concretes is critical. For this aim, first the normal and high strength self compacting concrete, NSSCC and HSSCC was designed. Then, the serviceability performance of reinforced connections consisting of NSSCC and HSSCC were investigated. Twelve reinforced concrete connections (L = 3 m, b = 0.15 m, h = 0.3 m) were simulated, by this concretes, the maximum and minimum reinforcement ratios ${\rho}$ and ${\rho}^{\prime}$ (percentage of tensile and compressive steel reinforcement) are in accordance with the provision of the ACI-05 for conventional RC structures. This study was limited to the case of bending without axial load, utilizing simple connections loaded at mid span through a stub (b = 0.15 m, h = 0.3 m, L = 0.3 m) to simulate a beam-column connection. During the test, concrete and steel strains, deflections and crack widths were measured at different locations along each member. Based on the experimental readings and observations, the cracked moment of inertia ($I_{cr}$) of members was determined and the results were compared with some selective theoretical methods. Also, the flexural crack widths of the members were measured and the applicability for conventional vibrated concrete, as for ACI, BS and CSA code, was verified for SCCs members tested. A comparison between two Codes (ACI and CSA) for the theoretical values cracking moment is indicate that, irrespective of the concrete strength, for the specimens reported, the prediction values of two codes are almost equale. The experimental cracked moment of inertia $(I_{cr})_{\exp}$ is lower than its theoretical $(I_{cr})_{th}$ values, and therefore theoretically it is overestimated. Also, a general conclusion is that, by increasing the percentage of ${\rho}$, the value of $I_{cr}$ is increased.

• 콘크리트학회논문집
• /
• 제20권2호
• /
• pp.175-183
• /
• 2008

초유동 자기충전 콘크리트 (high flowing self-compacting concrete)는 현재 국내의 경우 건축 구조물에 한정적으로 적용되고 있으며, 토목 구조물의 적용은 찾아보기 어려운 실정이다. 그러나 북미 및 유럽의 경우 유동성 및 재료 분리 저항성이 우수한 초유동 자기충전 콘크리트를 프리캐스트 및 프리스트레스트를 도입한 과밀 배근된 교량 부재에 사용하고 있어 초유동 자기충전 콘크리트를 교량 및 토목구조물 등에 광범위 하게 확대 적용하여 그 활용성을 높여야 할 것으로 판단된다. 따라서 본 연구에서는 토목 구조물인 과밀 배근된 교량 구조물에 초유동 자기충전 콘크리트를 적용하기 위한 방법의 일환으로 고로슬래그 및 플라이애쉬를 2성분계 및 3성분계로 배합하였으며, 과밀 배근된 구조물에 적용할 수 있는 일본토목학회의 JSCE 1등급 규정에 따른 초유동 자기충전 콘크리트의 역학적 특성을 평가하였다. 시험결과 2성분계의 배합보다 3성분계의 배합이 우수한 역학적 성질을 나타내었으며, 과밀 배근된 프리캐스트 교량 부재에 사용 가능할 것으로 판단된다.

• Computers and Concrete
• /
• 제27권3호
• /
• pp.241-252
• /
• 2021

An experimental program was conducted to investigate the fresh properties, mechanical properties and durability characteristics of the self-compacting mortars (SCM) produced with pumice powder and Artificial Lightweight Fine Aggregate (aLWFA). aLWFA was produced by using fly ash. A total of 16 different mixtures were designed with a constant water-binder ratio of 0.37, in which natural sands were partially replaced with aLWFA and pumice powder at different volume fractions of 5%, 10% and 15%. The artificial lightweight aggregates used in this study were manufactured through cold bonding pelletisation of 90% of class-F fly ash and 10% of Portland cement in a tilted pan with an ambient temperature and moisture content. Flowability tests were conducted on the fresh mortar mixtures beforehand, to determine the self-compacting characteristics on the basis of EFNARC. To determine the conformity of the fresh mortar characteristics with the standards, mini-slump and mini-V-funnel tests were carried out. Hardened state tests were conducted after 7, 28 and 56 days to determine the flexural strength and axial compressive strength respectively. Durability, sorptivity, permeability and density tests were conducted at the end of 28 days of curing time. The test results showed that the pumice powder replacement improved both the fresh state and the hardened state characteristics of the mortar and the optimum mixture ratio was determined as 15%, considering other studies in the literature. In the aLWFA mixtures used, the mechanical and durability characteristics of the modified compositions were very close to the control mixture. It is concluded in this study that mixtures with pumice powder replacement eliminated the negative effects of the aLWFA in the mortars and made a positive contribution.

• Advances in concrete construction
• /
• 제15권1호
• /
• pp.23-39
• /
• 2023

One of the important problems of concrete placing is the concrete compaction, which can affect the strength, durability and apparent quality of the hardened concrete. Therefore, vibrating operations might be accompanied by much noise and the need for training the involved workers, while inappropriate functioning can result in many problems. One of the most important methods to solve these problems is to utilize self-compacting cementitious composites instead of the normal concrete. Due to their benefits of these new materials, such as high tensile, compressive, and flexural strength, have drawn the researchers' attention to this type of cementitious composite more than ever. In this experimental investigation, six mixing designs were selected as a base to acquire the best mechanical properties. Moreover, forty-eight rectangular composite panels with dimensions of 300 mm × 400 mm and two thickness values of 30 mm and 50 mm were cast and tested to compare the flexural and impact energy absorption. Steel fibers with volume fractions of 0%, 0.5% and 1% and with lengths of 25 mm and 50 mm were imposed in order to prepare the required cement composites. In this research, the composite panels with two thicknesses of 30 mm and 50 mm, classified into 12 different groups, were cast and tested under three-point flexural bending and repeated drop weight impact test, respectively. Also, the examination and comparison of flexural energy absorption with impact energy absorption were one of the other aims of this research. The obtained results showed that the addition of fibers of longer length improved the mechanical properties of specimens. On the other hand, the findings of the flexural and impact test on the self-compacting composite panels indicated a stronger influence of the long-length fibers.

• Computers and Concrete
• /
• 제12권3호
• /
• pp.285-301
• /
• 2013

This paper concentrates on the results of experimental work on tensile strength of self-compacting concrete (SCC) caused by flexure, which is called rupture modulus. The work focused on concrete mixes having water/binder ratios of 0.35 and 0.45, which contained constant total binder contents of 500 $kg/m^3$ and 400 $kg/m^3$, respectively. The concrete mixes had four different dosages of a superplasticizer based on polycarboxylic with and without silica fume. The percentage of silica fume that replaced cement in this research was 10%. Based upon the experimental results, the existing equations for anticipating the rupture modulus of SCC according to its compressive strength were not exact enough. Therefore, it is decided to use artificial neural networks (ANN) for anticipating the rupture modulus of SCC from its compressive strength and workability. The conclusion was that the multi layer perceptron (MLP) networks could predict the tensile strength in all conditions, but radial basis (RB) networks were not exact enough in some circumstances. On the other hand, RB networks were more users friendly and they converged to the final networks quicker.

• Computers and Concrete
• /
• 제22권4호
• /
• pp.419-437
• /
• 2018

The compressive strength of self-compacting concrete (SCC) containing fly ash (FA) is highly related to its constituents. The principal purpose of this paper is to investigate the efficiency of hybrid fuzzy radial basis function neural network with biogeography-based optimization (FRBFNN-BBO) for predicting the compressive strength of SCC containing FA based on its mix design i.e., cement, fly ash, water, fine aggregate, coarse aggregate, superplasticizer, and age. In this regard, biogeography-based optimization (BBO) is applied for the optimal design of fuzzy radial basis function neural network (FRBFNN) and the proposed model, implemented in a MATLAB environment, is constructed, trained and tested using 338 available sets of data obtained from 24 different published literature sources. Moreover, the artificial neural network and three types of radial basis function neural network models are applied to compare the efficiency of the proposed model. The statistical analysis results strongly showed that the proposed FRBFNN-BBO model has good performance in desirable accuracy for predicting the compressive strength of SCC with fly ash.

• Computers and Concrete
• /
• 제15권6호
• /
• 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.