Abstract
Reactive powder concrete (RPC), typically with higher compressive strength, is particularly attractive to structural engineers to apply them in infrastructures for enhancing their resistance under severe environments and loads. The main objective of the initial study presented in the paper was to investigate the behavior of two types of these new cementitious materials differing in the nature of microfibers. The RPC mixes were reinforced with steel and then with basalt microfibers. To evaluate the structural performance of developed unconventional materials, properties were investigated experimentally and compared with the control normal concrete mix. Mechanical tests indicated that dispersing fine fibers for making RPC, a mean compressive strength of 198.3 MPa and flexural strength 52.6 MPa or 23.2 MPa, respectively, were developed after 28 days of standard curing at ambient temperatures. In composite structures consisting of steel girders and a concrete slab, it is necessary to prevent the relative slip at the steel and concrete interface using shear connectors. The very high RPC strength enabled a material saving, weight-reduced application of precast construction, and particularly effective joint to steel beams. The investigation of such shear connection efficiency, in the case of the higher strength concrete deck, using standard push-out test specimens was executed. Finite element numerical models were developed. The outputs of the studies are presented in the paper.
Highlights
Reactive powder concrete (RPC) is one of the most advanced cement-based composite materials in the group of ultra-high performance concretes (UHPC). Such composites can provide a compressive strength above 140 MPa, usually about 200 MPa, as already observed by Richard [1], Aïtcin [2], and Zdeb and Śliwiński [3]
Improved homogeneity and compactness can be achieved through the ideal grading by adding silica fume
There was a clear prevalence of mesoporous below 20 nm in diameter, while the share of pores above 20,000 nm in diameter for RPC concrete with basalt fibers (B) was increasing
Summary
Reactive powder concrete (RPC) is one of the most advanced cement-based composite materials in the group of ultra-high performance concretes (UHPC). Such composites can provide a compressive strength above 140 MPa, usually about 200 MPa, as already observed by Richard [1], Aïtcin [2], and Zdeb and Śliwiński [3]. In these innovative concrete types, very high material strength is achieved by replacing coarse aggregate with finely ground quartz of grain sizes from 1 μm to 4 μm and sand with grains from 0.2 to 0.4 mm. This allows for the strengthening of existing structures [18] and for the production of composite structural elements with less weight and dimensions and interesting mechanical properties [19]
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