The study explores the effect of elevated temperatures on the bond strength between prestressing reinforcement and ultra-high performance concrete (UHPC). Laboratory investigations reveal that the changes in bond strength correspond well with the changes in compressive strength of UHPC and their correlation can be mathematically described. Exposition of specimens to temperatures up to 200 °C does not reduce bond strength as a negative effect of increasing temperature is outweighed by the positive effect of thermal increase on the reactivity of silica fume in UHPC mixture. Above 200 °C, bond strength significantly reduces; for instance, a decrease by about 70% is observed at 800 °C. The decreases in compressive and bond strengths for temperatures above 400 °C are related to the changes of phase composition of UHPC matrix (as revealed by X-ray powder diffraction) and the changes in microstructure including the increase of porosity (verified by mercury intrusion porosimetry and observation of confocal microscopy) and development cracks detected by scanning electron microscopy. Future research should investigate the effect of relaxation of prestressing reinforcement with increasing temperature on bond strength reduction by numerical modelling.
Fibre-reinforced composite materials are becoming important in many areas of technological application. In addition to the static load, such structures may be stressed with short-term dynamic loads or even dynamic impact loads during their lifespan. Impact loading of structural components produces a complex process, where both the characteristics of the design itself and the material parameters influence the resultant behavior. It is clear that fibre reinforced concrete has a positive impact on increasing of the resistance to impact loads. Results of two different impact load tests carried out on drop-weight test machine are presented in this report.
This paper deals with new UHPFRC (Ultra High Performance Fibre Reinforced Concrete) bridges produced or constructed in 2018 in the Czech Republic. The paper includes a short description of 3 unique pedestrian bridges with load bearing structure made of UHPFRC and 2 steel bridges over the railway track with lost formwork for bridge decks and cornices made of thin UHPFRC slabs. Focus is given on the testing of the material, comparison of test specimens and summary of results from UHPFRC production in real scale. The size effect of control specimen and the results analysis is given in the last chapter. The 3 mentioned unique pedestrian bridges are Footbridge over the Lubina river in city Příbor, Pedestrian and cycle bridge in the vicinity of Black Bridges in city Tábor and Footbridge over Dřetovice stream in Vrapice - a district of Kladno city. Thin panels as permanent lost formwork for two bridges over the railway tracks are in city Přerov. All new UHPFRC structures should be worthy of attention of bridge experts and community of specialists in the field of concrete engineering.
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