Basalt‐polypropylene fiber reinforced concrete for durable and sustainable pipe production. Part 2: Numerical and parametric analysis

Abstract

A nonlinear 3D FEM was developed for reproducing the three‐edge bearing test (TEBT) of pipes. The model was validated by considering the experimental results on standard reinforced concrete pipes (RCPs) and fiber‐reinforced concrete pipes (FRCPs) with 1000 mm internal diameter presented in the Part 1. The relative error between numerical simulation and laboratory test results for both the service (D0.3) and the ultimate (Du) D‐load (DL) were lesser than 2.1% and 6.3%, respectively. Additionally, a new structural design process that takes into consideration the geometric and mechanical variables involved into the TEBT of pipes, including the type and reinforcement configuration, is proposed. Because of applying this approach, design‐oriented tables with minimum steel‐cage reinforcement ratios for RCPs and FRCPs valid for pipes with inner diameters ranging from 300 mm to 1800 mm are established for the pipe strength classes I to V and wall thickness A, B, and C defined in the ASTM C76. Based on the numerical results, it can be confirmed that the hybrid use of basalt‐polypropylene fibers permits to reduce the steel reinforcement ratio respect to the equivalent RCP and, for some diameters and strength classes, the total elimination. These results represent a step forward in the use of fiber reinforced concrete in the pipe industry, which can lead to more durable and sustainable piping products.