Title:
Self-Consolidating High-Performance SFRC: An Example of Structural Application in Italy
Author(s):
L. Ferrara, M. di Prisco, and N. Ozyurt
Publication:
Symposium Paper
Volume:
274
Issue:
Appears on pages(s):
109-128
Keywords:
deflection hardening behavior; fiber orientation; self-consolidating fiber-reinforced concrete; structural design.
DOI:
10.14359/51664083
Date:
10/1/2010
Abstract:
The addition of fibers into a self-consolidating concrete (SCC) matrix can take advantage of the superior fresh state performance to achieve homogeneous dispersion of the discontinuous wirelike reinforcement. Such a positive synergy between SCC and FRC technologies is of paramount importance to promote reliable structural applications. It has been furthermore shown that, through a well balanced set of fresh state properties of the mix, fibers can be effectively oriented along the direction of the fresh concrete flow. Superior mechanical performance of the material hence is obtained in the same direction. A “tailored” orientation of the fibers may be pursued to obtain a deflection-, or even a strain-hardening, behavior, which may be required by the specific application to be designed.
With reference to a project on going in Italy, this paper details the steps of a “holistic” approach to the design of Self Consolidating High Performance Fiber Reinforced Concrete (SCHPFRC) elements. In this framework both the mix composition and the casting process are designed to the anticipated performance of the structural element, in the sight of an optimized material and structural efficiency. This would allow to pursue, in the design process, a desirable closer correspondence between the shape of an element and the function it performs in a structure assembly. A suitably balanced fresh-state performance of the fiber reinforced cementitious composite would allow to “mold” the shape of an element and, thanks to a tailored casting process, to orient the fibers along the direction of the principal tensile stresses resulting from its structural function.