Sustainability-Oriented Model to Decide on Concrete Pipeline Reinforcement

Abstract

The design of sustainable sewerage infrastructure is fundamental for achieving long-term sustainability goals. Piping systems are essential components in the water supply chain and in waste disposal systems worldwide. Among possible designs for concrete pipes, steel cages consisting of curved rebars have been predominantly used as reinforcement. However, structural fibres have emerged as an attractive technical and economical alternative for substituting steel cages. Due to increasing urbanisation, thousands of kilometres of pipes will be constructed in the near future. At present, decisions regarding reinforcement of concrete pipes are primarily cost-driven. To consider other aspects, it is fundamental to identify and quantify potential sustainability issues properly. Hence, this paper focuses on the sustainability analysis of reinforced concrete pipes using a multi-criteria decision-making method. A model based on criteria, indicators, weights and value functions is developed and calibrated by assessing various concrete reinforcement strategies (steel bars or steel/synthetic fibres). The main contributions of the article are the proposal and application of a model for the case of concrete pipes which can be adapted for other case studies; determining how different typologies of pipes contribute to the overall sustainability of infrastructure systems; and the use and application of a robust and interesting multi-criteria decision-making methodology. The results show that fibre reinforced concrete pipes are promising alternatives in social, economic and environmental terms. Both the model and results are expected to be useful to stakeholders in decision-making processes.

A systematic review on MIVES: A sustainability-oriented multi-criteria decision-making method

“…This shows a sustained interest to apply sustainability in different building elements. Some of them are concrete columns [61], beams [26] and slabs [62] comparisons, as well as pipe systems [42] and pipe reinforcement [63] assessments. Other studies are focused on earth retaining walls [64], trenches [65], structural concrete retention tanks [66], flight auger piles [67] and fiber-reinforced concrete piles [68].…”

Rethinking databases: The fib project for a connected data repository

“…As such, FRC is entering the latest generation of design codes such as the new Eurocode 2 revision 46 and the fib Model Code 2020 47 . The use of FRC in certain structural applications which traditionally RC has been used, has proven to lead to sustainability enhancements 48–52 …”

“…47 The use of FRC in certain structural applications which traditionally RC has been used, has proven to lead to sustainability enhancements. [48][49][50][51][52] Nonetheless, its use is still not widespread and practical experience of many designers, concrete producers and contractors is limited. Therefore, an open access database on FRC and its most important mechanical propertyresidual flexural strength-would increase familiarity of the engineering community with the material and raise confidence in its use if the effects of main parameters on FRC residual strength could be easily and clearly shown.…”

Macrosynthetic fibers as replacement of conventional steel reinforcement for concrete of partition walls

“…1 For this type of elements, the full-replacement of the CSR by structural fibers is seen as an opportunity to increase productivity (by reducing construction times) and cost-efficiency and, ultimately, sustainability performance as previous researches proved for several structural typologies. [2][3][4][5][6][7] It may be noted that Annex L of FprEN 1992-1-1:2023 1 only covers design of FRC. Nevertheless, in this research, macrosynthetic fibers (MSFs) were seen a suitable concrete reinforcement for partition walls.…”