Abstract
The use of polyolefin fibre reinforced concrete (PFRC) as an alternative for reducing the reinforcing steel bars employed in reinforced concrete has become real in the past years. This contribution analyses the improvements in sustainability that a change in the aforementioned reinforcement configuration might provide in a flyover bridge. Economic, environmental and social parameters of both possibilities were studied by means of the integrated value model for sustainable assessment. Such model, which acronym is MIVES (Modelo Integrado de Valor para una Evaluación Sostenible, MIVES), is a multi-criteria decision-making method based on the value function concept and the seminars delivered by experts. The results of the MIVES method showed that the use of PFRC in combination with reinforced concrete (RC) has a sustainability index 22% higher. An analysis of the parameters that form this evaluation shows that there are no remarkable differences in the financial costs between the two possibilities studied. Nevertheless, social and environmental aspects provide with a better qualification the option of building a bridge by using PFRC combined with RC.
Highlights
The mechanical properties of concrete, together with a low cost of raw materials, flexibility in shaping, durability and ease of production, have enabled it to become the most used construction material of the twentieth century
In order to widen the use of concrete, it was merged with steel bars which formed what has been conventionally termed reinforced concrete (RC)
The use of a multi-criteria decision-making method based on the value function concept and the seminars delivered by experts such as MIVES has been useful tool in assessing the sustainability of a flyover bridge built with RC or PFRC10
Summary
The mechanical properties of concrete, together with a low cost of raw materials, flexibility in shaping, durability and ease of production, have enabled it to become the most used construction material of the twentieth century. The remarkable compressive strength of concrete is highly suitable for structural elements subjected to compressive stresses, such as piers. The low-tensile and flexural strength of concrete prevent it from being used in horizontal structures subjected to vertical loads. In such situations, the structural elements should resist stresses which are in most cases higher than the tensile strength. For certain applications steel bars have been complemented with what is commonly known as active reinforcement in the form of steel wires and strands. Such a combination is called pre-stressed concrete
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