Effects of Low Temperatures on Flexural Strength of Macro-Synthetic Fiber Reinforced Concrete: Experimental and Numerical Investigation

Abstract

Fiber-reinforced concrete (FRC) is an attractive alternative to traditional steel bar-reinforced concrete structures, as evidenced by the constantly increasing market consumption of structural fibers for this purpose. In spite of significant research dedicated to FRC, less attention has been given to the effects of low temperatures on the mechanical properties of FRC, which can be critical for a variety of structural typologies and regions. With this in mind, an experimental program was carried out to assess the flexural behavior of macro-synthetic fiber-reinforced concrete (MSFRC) at different temperatures (from 20 °C to −30 °C) by means of three-point bending notched beam tests. The tested MSFRCs were produced by varying the content of polypropylene fibers (4 and 8 kg/m3). The results proved that the flexural strength capacity of all MSFRCs improved with decreasing temperature. Finite element analyses were then used to calibrate constitutive models following fib Model Code 2010 guidelines and to formulate empirical adjustments for taking into account the effects of low temperatures. The outcomes of this research are the basis for future experimental and numerical efforts meant to improve the design of MSFRCs subjected to low temperatures during service conditions.

Influence of fiber orientation on flexural‐based design of steel fiber‐reinforced concrete slabs: Experimental and numerical program

“…17 Additional information related to the software, material model and input data required may be found elsewhere. [66][67][68][69] In this context, the simulated post-cracking response fundamentally depends on the constitutive models assumed. Therefore, initially, simulations of 3PBT were carried out to derive those models.…”

“…Both, software and material models, were proven to be suitable for the nonlinear simulations of column‐supported SFRC flat slabs 17 . Additional information related to the software, material model and input data required may be found elsewhere 66–69 …”

Recycling of Polypropylene Fibre Reinforced Concrete: Use of Recycled Aggregate and Recovered Fibre in New Concrete

“…However, RA has some disadvantages compared with natural aggregates, such as lower density and strength and higher water absorption than natural aggregate (NA), making quality control of recycled aggregate concrete (RAC) a challenge. At the same time, fibre reinforced concrete (FRC) is being increasingly used in civil engineering structures, such as tunnels, pavements, and flat slabs, owing to its beneficial effect on crack control, fire resistance, fatigue resistance, and impact resistance (Aidarov et al 2022). However, as time goes by, recycling of FRC becomes more urgent.…”

Flexural Behavior of High Strength RC Beams Incorporating Nano-Silica and Macro-Polypropylene Fiber

“…To solve the aforementioned disadvantages of the concrete, the strengthening method has been proposed to incorporate mixing the concrete with random discrete fibers. For example, carbon, glass, steel, and polypropylene contribute to the addition of fibers to concrete to improve energy absorption and tensile resistance to cracking (Lee et al, 2016;RAS, 2006).Generally, an attractive alternative for conventional steel bar reinforced concrete constructions is fiber reinforced concrete (FRC) (Aidarov et al, 2022). The fiber is used as internal reinforcement in concrete constructions and leads the concrete to have less cracking, so the fibers are used to enhance its tensile and ductile behaviour.…”

“…Generally, an attractive alternative for conventional steel bar reinforced concrete constructions is fiber reinforced concrete (FRC) (Aidarov et al, 2022). The fiber is used as internal reinforcement in concrete constructions and leads the concrete to have less cracking, so the fibers are used to enhance its tensile and ductile behaviour.…”