Estudo sobre a variabilidade do módulo de deformação do concreto associada a fatores intrínsecos à produção do material.

Abstract

The modulus of elasticity requirements for concrete structures is becoming even more frequent. So, the knowledge of the variables involved in the experimental results became more important in order to make more reliable its assessment and enabling better conditions for specifications requirements attendance in relation to this property. Several studies have shown that the variability of mechanical properties of construction materials is subjected to random processes. Therefore, the security methods in the structural design must be based in the probability theory concept rather than deterministic methods. The randomness of the, compressive strength of concrete is already take in account in the quality control process according to the Brazilian Standard ABNT NBR 12655 (2006). The present work aims to study the experimental control of static modulus of elasticity of concrete, showing the influence of the constituent materials used in a Concrete Ready Mix Plant. It also intends to present a discussion on the applicability of the semi-probabilistic concept of national design standards in the mix design and production control of concrete in order to attend the elastic modulus requirements. The research methodology had two main steps: the first one, developed at a Concrete Ready Mix Plant located in Sao Paulo City, was based on the assessment of two characteristic compressive strength (fck) of 25 MPa and 30 MPa, which are commonly demanded in this market. For each strength class, tests were done to evaluate the variability of static modulus of elasticity of concrete, Ecs, three times per week, during a period of nine months. On the second step, an analysis of elastic modulos of concretes provided at six different sites, where the characteristic strength was 30 MPa, which was made using the same materials used in the first step. It has been used the clip gage instrumentation for measuring deformation to the assessment of static modulus of elasticity of concrete. It was used due to the precision that has been observed in recent research. The evaluation has been done according to the Brazilian Standard ABNT NBR 8522 (2008). It was possible to conclude that the modulus of elasticity of concrete is influenced by the compressive strength, so it follows a probabilistic distribution and cannot be associated to a deterministic model of quality control, due to the risk of noncompliance of the requirement.