Search

This study aims to explore the dynamic response of ultra-high performance engineered cementitious composites (UHP-ECC) incorporating waste crumb rubber (CR) at various temperatures, focusing on its potential to enhance the resilience and sustainability of civil infrastructures against low-velocity impacts. To date, the impact behaviour of UHP-ECC under low temperatures has rarely been explored. Firstly, natural river sand and waste tyre CR was utilized to prepare the UHP-ECC. Then, a series of mechanical tests, including compression test, flexural test and uniaxial tensile test were carried out to investigate the static mechanical properties of rubberised UHP-ECCs. In addition, the effects of different waste CR incorporations (0%, 5%, 10%, and 15%) and various temperatures (25 °C, −5 °C, −30 °C, −50 °C, −100 °C and −196 °C) were comprehensively investigated by low-velocity impact tests with constant impact energy. Lastly, the Technique for Order of Preference by Similarity to Ideal Solution (TOPSIS) model was introduced to evaluate the overall performance of UHP-ECC. It was found that the use of river sand and CR significantly enhanced the tensile ductility and impact toughness of UHP-ECC. Impact energy primarily dissipates through damage such as matrix crack initiation, propagation, and fibre pull-out/rupture within the specimen. Adding CR notably decreased stress fluctuations during impact at room temperature, facilitating steady state energy absorption. Moreover, the time to reach peak impact force decreased with decreasing temperature across all UHP-ECC groups. At room temperature during impact process, fibre failure mode is dominated by pull-out failure, while lower temperatures lead to increased fibre rupture at the cracking surface. In low-temperature conditions, the impact response of rubberised UHP-ECC necessitates a comprehensive consideration of the synergistic effects, including material contraction, fibre bridging capacity, rubber phase transition, and water freezing. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study aimed to optimize the utilization of industrial solid waste through developing a high-performance cement-based composite material (UHP-ECC), incorporating coal furnace slag (CFS) and waste rubber powder (RP). The investigation concentrated on the effects of introducing 10% RP into UHP-ECC and replacing ordinary Portland cement (OPC) with CFS at varying proportions (0%, 20%, 40%, 60%) on mechanical properties, impact resistance, and sustainability. The mixtures underwent a comprehensive characterization, including mechanical tests, thermogravimetric analysis (TGA), and scanning electron microscopy (SEM), to clarify hydration mechanisms and microstructural features. The results revealed that the addition of 10% rubber led to flaws, resulting in a minor reduction in compressive strength from 143.2 MPa to 132.2 MPa. Substituting 20% with CFS resulted in a denser matrix, raising the compressive strength to 135.5 MPa. CFS decreased the initial cracking strength and matrix fracture toughness, with tensile strain peaking at 8.05% and narrower crack widths. More CFS content yielded a slight decrease in peak impact force but induced more fine cracks and enhancing ductility. Moreover, as CFS is a waste product generated at high temperatures, the mixture demonstrated outstanding impact performance at 150 °C, absorbing rather than converting more energy into kinetic energy. Comparative analysis against similar mixtures highlighted UHP-ECC's strengths in embodied carbon, embodied energy, and material cost. The Technique for Order of Preference by Similarity to Ideal Solution (TOPSIS) assessment identified the CFS40-R10 as better mixture, achieving a balance between mechanical performance, cost-effectiveness, and sustainability. Microscopic analysis revealed that up to 40% CFS facilitated hydration, and the 60% CFS mixture exhibited the lowest total mass loss at high temperatures. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper conducts a theoretical research into bond–slip relationship between ribbed steel bars and concrete. According to whether the concrete is cracked or not, the ascending part of the bond–slip curve is divided into two sections which are calculated by two different mechanical models. Based on the wedging action mechanism, the slip is introduced as displacement boundary conditions into the model, which is the main innovation of this study. The boundary conditions of the model are changed by the changing slip, so the bond stress values corresponding to all levels of slip are obtained. According to the rebar geometrical parameters specified in National Standard GB1499‐2007, the spacing of the adjacent ribs is fitted as a linear function of the rebar diameter. Then characteristic slip with the rib spacing as the main parameter is adopted in this study. Also, a negative exponential function is proposed for the descending part of the bond–slip curve. Specially, parameters of slipping path are therefore suggested for engineering applications. Comparison between calculated values and test results shows that the theoretical model can reasonably predict the local bonding problems with different steel bar diameters and concrete strength grades. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper presents basic parameters test and an efficient numerical model for the bond between reinforcing bars and concrete after elevated temperatures. The chemical adhesive and friction coefficient are measured by self-designed setups, and the variation law of the parameters is summarized. In the 3D modeling, bar-to-concrete interface has been modeled by means of an explicit discretization of the bar ribs. Surface-to-surface contact pair elements are employed for the interface, and the tangential contact behavior is elastic-plastic with a Coulomb-type friction model. Comparison between experimental and numerical results shows that the proposed model describes the behavior of steel bar relatively well in the pull-out process after elevated temperatures. The 3D modeling makes up some deficiencies of macro pull-out test, such as the detailed stress distributions and crack patterns. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Mechanical properties of engineered cementitious composites (ECC) are highly dependent on the pore structural characteristics and fibre-matrix interaction. The relationship between them has not been extensively explored. This paper proposes a practical micromechanical analytical model accounting for pore structure characteristics and crack-bridging properties to predict the strain-hardening and multiple microcracking behaviour of ECC. Using polyethylene fibre reinforced ECC (PE-ECC) as an example, Monte Carlo simulations were undertaken to investigate the tensile behaviour in terms of crack strength, fibre bridging strength and uniaxial tensile properties against heterogeneity of material property, which were validated with experimental data. A parametric study was then conducted to estimate the effects of fibre-matrix bond and fibre properties on stress-strain relationship and microcracking features of PE-ECC. Results indicate that the tensile properties of PE-ECC can be reasonably predicted. Under constant fibre dosages, the tensile ductility of PE-ECC is dominated by interfacial bond, followed by fibre location, orientation and diameter. Such insights are helpful to the design of ECC composites for practical applications. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The tensile behaviour of engineered cementitious composites (ECC) is highly dependent on their microstructure characteristics. To date, the strain-hardening behaviour of printed ECC in relation to its microstructure is not yet fully understood. This study presents a systematic investigation on the macroscopic mechanical properties of normal and printed ECC with various polyethylene (PE) fibre lengths (6 and 12 mm) in relation to their microstructural features in terms of pore structure characteristics, fibre orientation and fibre dispersion through a series of mechanical tests and X-ray computed tomography (CT) and backscattered electron (BSE) image acquisition, processing and analysis. Results indicate that it is desirable to use block specimens for mould-casting fabrication as contrast to printed ECC samples. The printed ECC containing 1.5 vol% 6 mm and 0.5 vol% 12 mm PE fibres by extrusion-based 3D printing exhibits unique tensile ductility of over 5% and average crack width of less than 100 μm. Regarding pore structure, normal ECC has a higher probability of large pores (over 1 mm3) than printed ECC, which would increase the risk of damage localization and lead to a significant variation in tensile properties. Besides, normal ECC with thickness of 30 mm and printed ECC possess a similar fist cracking strength as indicated by similar pore size and fracture toughness. Compared to normal ECC, printed ECC has a more uniform dispersion of PE fibres, the orientation of which is more perpendicular to the loading direction, resulting in a higher average tensile strength and strain capacity than normal ECC. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study investigated 3D concrete printing of permanent formwork for concrete column construction. The effect of different hydroxypropyl methyl cellulose (HPMC) contents (0, 0.0003 and 0.0006 by mass of binder) and the water-to-binder (W/B) ratios (0.27, 0.29 and 0.31) on the rheological properties, structural build-up and mechanical performance were studied using several mixtures for manufacture of the permanent formworks. The results showed that the mixture with the HPMC = 0.0006 and the W/B = 0.27 showed the maximum static yield stress, largest thixotropy and maximum green strength, and thereby selected as the optimum mixture. The plastic failure of the optimum mixture was also predicted using a thixotropy model and was compared with the experimental results. Subsequently, three concrete columns with different longitudinal steel reinforcement ratios (0.0%, 1.9% and 2.5%) were constructed using the printed concrete as the permanent formwork and tested in compression. Good bonding was observed at the interface of the cast-in-place concrete and the printed concrete permanent formwork. In addition, it was observed that the initial stiffness, the maximum bearing capacity and the corresponding longitudinal displacement of the concrete columns increased, as the longitudinal reinforcement ratio increased. The counterpart concrete columns using the conventional formworks were also constructed and tested for comparison. In comparison, the concrete columns made using the printed concrete as the permanent formwork obtained a higher stiffness and bearing capacity than the counterpart conventional concrete columns. The reasons for the differences are explained. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

• A novel mix proportion was developed to produce ECC samples by 3D concrete printing. • The printed ECC beam presented a ductile failure mode under four-point bending. • The practical application feasibility of printed ECC beam was implemented. Engineered cementitious composites (ECC) is emerging as promising candidate cementitious materials for 3D concrete printing (3DCP). This paper experimentally investigated the bending behaviors of 3D printed ECC beams with different geometric configuration. A novel mix design for ECC with ultra-high molecular weight polyethylene (PE) fiber was developed and the PE-ECC beams were casted by two methods, i.e., mold-cast and extrusion-based 3D printing. The four-point bending tests were conducted for plain ECC beams, reinforced concrete (RC) beams as well as cast-in-situ unreinforced ECC beam. The influences of different parameters including fabrication methods, print angles and superposition types were particularly investigated. The anisotropic mechanical properties under bending of printed beams and bending capacity of cast in place reinforced concrete beams were also investigated. Also, the strain distribution of longitudinal steel reinforcement in reinforced concrete as well as printed ECC beam were studied. The results indicated that the printed ECC beam presented a ductile failure mode accompanied with strain hardening behaviors. Also, the ECC beams exposed to z direction loading showed better mechanical anisotropic properties when compared with those exposed to x direction. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The current 3D concrete printing (3DCP) technology is limited by the reinforcing methods. Conventional steel reinforcement is hard to be incorporated in the 3DCP process. To overcome this limitation, this study aims to develop 3D-printable engineered cementitious composites (ECCs) exhibiting ultra-high tensile strain capacity of more than 8%, which can be used for digital construction of 'self-reinforced' concrete structures, reducing the reliance on the conventional steel reinforcement. Different volume fractions of polyethylene fibers (1%, 1.5% and 2%) were used to reinforce the ECC matrix. The fresh properties (including the workability, rheological properties and buildability) and the hardened properties (including the compressive and flexural strengths, and the uniaxial tensile performance), along with the microstructure of the developed 3D printable ECCs were experimentally investigated. Conventionally mold-cast ECCs were also prepared and tested for comparison purposes. The results showed that the developed 3D printable PE-ECCs exhibited strong strain-hardening behavior with the tensile strength and tensile strain capacity of up to 5.7 MPa and 11.4%, respectively. In addition, the results showed that the 3D printed PE-ECCs exhibited superior tensile performance to the conventionally mold-cast PE-ECC counterparts. This finding is in good agreement with the results of the microstructural analysis. Unlabelled Image • A novel 3D-printable (3DP-ECCs) with ultra-high tensile ductility of more than 8% was developed for digital construction. • The 3DP-ECCs exhibited uniaxial tensile strength and tensile strain capacity of up to 5.7 MPa and 11.4%, respectively. • The 3DP-ECCs exhibited superior tensile performance to the conventionally mold-cast ECC counterparts. • The microstructural analysis explained the underlying reasons for the observed superior tensile performance of the 3DP-ECCs. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study explored the potential of using biomass bamboo aggregates (BAs) developed from bamboo to replace natural aggregates (NAs) in concrete. The use of BAs not only solves the problems of environmental damage and energy depletion caused by NA mining but also improves the toughness of concrete. To address the weak adhesion between bamboo and cement, a method for modifying the surface of the BA with an epoxy mortar coating was proposed. Experimental works have examined the workability, physical, and mechanical properties of bamboo aggregate concrete (BAC) at various BA replacement rates (r =0%∼45%) and modification methods (unmodified, epoxy mortar-modified). The results indicated that BAC with r ≥35% exhibited good workability. As r increased, the water absorption rate increased, and the density decreased. Compared with normal aggregate concrete (NAC), BAC exhibited extended cracking and failure processes, suggesting that it has a postcracking deformation capacity. For BAC, the increase in the early strength growth was slower, but the increase in the strength later was faster, especially with higher BA contents. Despite larger r had negative effects on the mechanical properties, BAC with r ≥35% still met the strength criteria for non-load-bearing and secondary structures. Additionally, BAC exhibited a more pronounced size effect than NAC, but this effect diminished as the BA content reached 25%. Finally, equations for the 28-day strength and size effects of BAC specimens with varying r values were proposed. • Sustainable bamboo aggregates (BAs) were proposed for use in concrete. • Workability, physical and mechanical properties of bamboo aggregate concrete were studied. • Influences of BA replacement levels, curing ages and sizes were examined. • A 28-day strength fitting equation and a size effect formula were proposed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Steel tubes internally stiffened with stringers are promising structural members of long-span transmission towers, but the study on its stability design remains insufficient. To gain insight into the inelastic buckling behavior of the tubes, compressive tests of 33 specimens are conducted. Using the test results, finite element (FE) models are first established and validated. Then, the adequacy of an equation in the literature for predicting elastic buckling stress is investigated via FE analysis (FEA), and a correction coefficient is proposed to diminish the discrepancy between the predicted and the FEA results. Afterward, the FE-based inelastic analysis is performed, wherein the initial imperfections including the local dimples, out-of-roundness, and residual stress were considered in the FE models. The effects of the imperfections on the ultimate strength are investigated. Further, the effects of the length to diameter ratio, diameter to wall thickness ratio, and stringer's number and size on the reduction factor are investigated. Comparatively, the effect of the diameter to wall thickness ratio on the reduction factor is the most significant. The test and FEA results show that the axial ultimate strength is insusceptible to the initial imperfections. In addition, to achieve an efficient design, the restriction of the height to thickness ratio of stringers is suggested to avoid the stringer instability. Finally, the corresponding formulas for design are presented. • Stability design curve for steel moderately-thick cylindrical shells in transmission towers. • Compressive tests of 33 large-scale specimens. • Correction coefficient for the estimation of elastic buckling load. • Parametric study based on inelastic finite element analysis with consideration of residual stress and geometrical imperfections. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Bamboo fiber (BF) possesses advantages such as environmental friendliness, renewability, economic viability, and favorable mechanical properties, making it a promising material for improving the brittleness and tensile strength of concrete. Previous investigations have demonstrated a limited exploration of BF-reinforced lightweight aggregate concrete (LWAC). Current study concentrates on investigating the mechanical properties and stress-strain relationship of BF-reinforced LWAC. To achieve this, 7 groups of BF-reinforced LWAC specimens were subjected to compressive tests, splitting tensile tests, and prism compressive tests. The influence of BF content and length on the compressive performance, failure modes and stress-strain curves was studied. BFs effectively suppressed the development of internal cracks in LWAC, playing a role in crack resistance and toughness enhancement. Furthermore, BFs significantly improved the splitting tensile strength of concrete, while the compressive strength slightly decreased with the increase of BF content. After adding BFs, the splitting tensile strength of concrete increased by 8.2∼23.7%, and the compressive strength decreased by 3.6∼11.1%. Moreover, the BF length had almost no effect on the compressive strength of concrete, while when the BF length was 10–30 mm, the tensile strength increased by 5.3∼17.6%. Based on existing researches, strength conversion equations and stress-strain constitutive models of BF-reinforced LWAC were proposed, and the models provide a theoretical basis for the calculation and analysis of BF-reinforced LWAC components and structures. • Bamboo fiber (BF)-reinforced lightweight aggregate concrete (LWAC) was examined. • BFs significantly improved the splitting tensile strength and ductility of LWAC. • The failure modes of specimens were analyzed based on SEM images and DIC technology. • The stress-strain models of BF-reinforced LWAC were established. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Wind tunnel tests on scaled models of a triangular transmission tower body made by angled steel members were carried out. The drag coefficients of the total tower body or single frames at nine different test cases were obtained. The experimental results from wind tunnel tests were also mutually validated by computational fluid dynamics (CFD) analysis. The parameters for calculating wind loads on triangular tower bodies determined by wind tunnel tests were compared with the calculated values by some applicable design standards. For the regular triangular tower body with an equivalent solidity ratio for three lateral faces, the experimental curves of the skewed wind load factor K θ approximately appear like W shape and symmetrical to the axis of θ =60°. K θ is decreased to the minimum value when the wind incidence angle is 40° or 80°. When the solidity ratio of face A is different from the other two faces, the symmetry axis of the skewed wind load factor K θ is shifted to θ =50°. K θ is decreased to the minimum value when the wind incidence angle is 30° or 70°. The varying trend of K θ , especially for the wind incidence angle corresponding to the minimum K θ value in British standard, are quite different from the experimental results. Based on a combination of the drag coefficient of single frames and the shielding effect factor, a calculation method for the effective projected areas of triangular tower bodies was proposed. Especially for the wind incidence angle θ of 0° or 120°, the calculated values of the effective projected areas agree well with the experimental values obtained from the total tower-body models. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: FEA model of a transmission tower was established. According to the monitoring data of the non-uniform settlement for the temporarily strengthened tower, the bearing capacity analyses were carried out with the wind loads of different velocities and directions. When the wind velocity is up to the design value, the stress of the main member exceeds the design stress by 34%. For the frequent velocity, stresses of all the members are lower than the design stress. By considering the settlements at the four foots are stochastic, one single installing program of the staying wires cannot decrease the stress of the members for all cases. For the settlement case which the member stress is up to the maximum value, the member stress decreases a little but even higher than the design value. By applying the large panel foundation, the bearing capacity of the tower can be enhanced significantly, and the settlement limit was determined by the structural analysis. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]