Composites: Part B 53 (2013) 121133

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Composites: Part B
journal homepage: www.elsevier.com/locate/compositesb

Self-compacting concrete incorporating steel and polypropylene bers: Compressive and tensile strengths, moduli of elasticity and rupture, compressive stressstrain curve, and energy dissipated under compression
Farhad Aslani , Shami Nejadi
Centre for Built Infrastructure Research, School of Civil and Environmental Engineering, University of Technology, Sydney, Australia

a r t i c l e

i n f o

a b s t r a c t
Fiber-reinforced self-compacting concrete (FRSCC) is a high-performance building material that combines positive aspects of fresh properties of self-compacting concrete (SCC) with improved characteristics of hardened concrete as a result of ber addition. Considering these properties, the application ranges of both FRSCC and SCC can be covered. A test program is carried out to develop information about the mechanical properties of FRSCC. For this purpose, four SCC mixes plain SCC, steel, polypropylene, and hybrid FRSCC are considered in the test program. The properties include compressive and splitting tensile strengths, moduli of elasticity and rupture, compressive stressstrain curve, and energy dissipated under compression. These properties are tested at 3, 7, 14, 28, 56, and 91 days. Relationships are established to predict the compressive and splitting tensile strengths, moduli of elasticity and rupture, compressive stressstrain curve, and energy dissipated under compression. The models provide predictions matching the measurements. 2013 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

Article history: Received 6 August 2012 Received in revised form 12 March 2013 Accepted 7 April 2013 Available online 25 April 2013 Keywords: B. Mechanical properties A. Fibers C. Analytical modelling D. Mechanical testing

1. Introduction Self-compacting concrete (SCC) can be placed and compacted under its own weight with little or no vibration and without segregation or bleeding. SCC is used to facilitate and ensure proper lling and good structural performance of restricted areas and heavily reinforced structural members. It has gained signicant importance in recent years because of its advantages [1]. Recently, this concrete has gained wider use in many countries for different applications and structural congurations. SCC can also provide a better working environment by eliminating the vibration noise. Such concrete requires a high slump that can be achieved by superplasticizer addition to a concrete mix and special attention to the mix proportions. SCC often contains a large quantity of powder materials that are required to maintain sufcient yield value and viscosity of the fresh mix, thus reducing bleeding, segregation, and settlement. As the use of a large quantity of cement increases costs and results in higher temperatures, the use of mineral admixtures such as y ash, blast furnace slag, or limestone ller could increase the slump of the concrete mix without increasing its cost [2].

Corresponding author. Tel.: +61 434419460.

E-mail address: farhad.aslani@uts.edu.au (F. Aslani). 1359-8368/$ - see front matter 2013 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved. http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.compositesb.2013.04.044

Fiber-reinforced self-compacting concrete (FRSCC) is a relatively recent composite material that combines the benets of the SCC technology with the advantages of the ber addition to a brittle cementitious matrix. It is a ductile material that in its fresh state ows into the interior of the formwork, lling it in a natural manner, passing through the obstacles, and owing and consolidating under the action of its own weight. FRSCC can mitigate two opposing weaknesses: poor workability in ber-reinforced concrete (FRC) and cracking resistance in plain concrete. A few studies have been carried out on optimization of the mix proportion for the addition of steel or polypropylene bers to SCC. Meanwhile, there is insufcient research on the mechanical properties of FRSCC. In mechanical terms, the greatest disadvantage of cementitious material is its vulnerability to cracking, which generally occurs at an early age in concrete structures or members. Cracking may potentially reduce the lifetime of concrete structures and cause serious durability and serviceability problems. The most benecial properties with the ber addition to the concrete in the hardened state are the impact strength, the toughness, and the energy absorption capacity. A detailed description of the benets provided by the ber addition to concrete can be found elsewhere [3,4]. The ber addition might also improve the re resistance of cement-based materials, as well as their shear resistance. The possible applications of FRSCC include highways; industrial and aireld pavements; hydraulic structures; tunnel

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Table 1 Properties of cement, y ash, and ground granulated blast furnace slag (GGBFS). Cement Chemical properties CaO SiO2 Al2O3 Fe2O3 MgO SO3 K2O Na2O Cl LOI Physical properties Autoclave expansion Fineness index Mechanical properties Initial setting time Final setting time Soundness Drying shrinkage fc0 (3 days) fc0 (7 days) fc0 (28 days) 64.5% 19.3% 5.2% 2.9% 1.1% 2.9% 0.56% <0.01% 0.02% 2.8% TiO2 405 m2/kg 90 min 135 min 1.0 mm 590 lstrain 37.2 MPa 47.3 MPa 60.8 MPa Fly ash Chemical properties Al2O3 CaO Fe2O3 K2O MgO Mn2O3 Na2O P2O5 SiO2 SO3 SrO TiO2 Physical properties Moisture Fineness 45 lm Loss on ignition Sulfuric anhydride Alkali content Chloride ion Relative density Relative water requirement Relative strength 28 days 26.40% 2.40% 3.20% 1.55% 0.60% <0.1% 0.47% 0.20% 61.40% 0.20% <0.1% 1.00% <0.1% 78% Passed 2.30% 0.20% 0.50% <0.001% 2.02% 97% 88% GGBFS Chemical properties Al2O3 Fe2O3 MgO Mn2O3 SO3 Cl Insoluble residue LOI Physical properties Fineness index 14.30% 1.20% 5.40% 1.50% 0.20% 0.01% 0.50% 1.10% 435 m2/kg

Table 2 Properties of crushed latite volcanic rock coarse aggregate, Nepean river gravel ne aggregate, and Kurnell natural river sand ne aggregate. Crushed latite volcanic rock coarse aggregate Characteristics Sieve size 13.2 mm 9.5 mm 6.7 mm 4.75 mm 2.36 mm 1.18 mm Material ner than 75 lm (%) Mis-shapen particles (%) Ratio 2:1 Ratio 3:1 Flakiness index (%) Uncompacted bulk density (t/m3) Compacted bulk density (t/m3) Moisture condition of the aggregate (%) Particle density (Dry) (t/m3) Particle density (SSD) (t/m3) Apparent particle density (t/m3) Results Passing (%) 100 89 40 7 1 1 1 13 1 20 1.36 1.54 1.3 2.65 2.70 2.79 Nepean river gravel ne aggregate Characteristics Sieve size 6.7 mm 4.75 mm 2.36 mm 1.18 mm 600 lm 425 lm 300 lm 150 lm Material ner than 75 lm (%) Uncompacted bulk density (t/m3) Compacted bulk density (t/m3) Particle density (Dry) (t/m3) Particle density (SSD) (t/m3) Apparent particle density (t/m3) Water absorption (%) Silt content (%) Degradation factor of ne aggregate the wash water after using permitted 500 ml was: CLEAR Moisture content (%) Method of determining voids content % Voids The mean ow time (s) Results Passing (%) 100 99 83 64 42 28 19 8 3 1.52 1.64 2.58 2.60 2.63 0.7 7 90 Kurnell natural river sand ne aggregate Characteristics Sieve size 1.18 mm 600 lm 425 lm 300 lm 150 lm Material ner than 75 lm in aggregate by washing (%) Uncompacted bulk density (t/m3) Compacted bulk density (t/m3) Particle density (Dry) (t/m3) Particle density (SSD) (t/m3) Apparent particle density (t/m3) Water absorption (%) Silt content (%) Results Passing (%) 100 98 87 46 1 Nil 1.39 1.54 2.58 2.59 2.62 0.6 4

Water absorption (%) Ave. dry strength (kN) Ave. wet strength (kN) Wet/Dry strength variation (%) Test fraction (mm) The amount of signicant breakdown (%) The size of testing cylinder = 150 mm diam. Los angeles value grd. K (%Loss)

1.9 391 293 25 9.5 + 6.7 <0.2

5.5 41.7 26.5

13

segments; bridges components and concrete structures of complex geometry that present high difculties in being reinforced by conventional steel bars, especially those that have a high degree of support redundancy. 2. Research signicance It is vital to investigate that whether all the assumed hypotheses used to design structures of conventional and ber reinforced

concretes are also valid for SCC and FRSCC structures. The research presented aims at nding experimentally and numerically the properties of SCC and FRSCC in the fresh and hardened stages. Therefore, an experimental program is carried out to investigate the mechanical properties of four mixes of SCC. The mechanical properties included in this study are compressive and splitting tensile strengths, modulus of elasticity, modulus of rupture, compressive stressstrain curve, and energy dissipated under compression. These properties are tested at 3, 7, 14, 28, 56, and 91 days. The

F. Aslani, S. Nejadi / Composites: Part B 53 (2013) 121133 Table 3 The physical and mechanical properties of bers. Fiber type Steel Polipropylene (PP) Fiber name Dramix RC-80/ 60-BN Synmix 65 Density (kg/ m3) 7850 905 Length (l) 60 65 Diameter (d) 0.75 0.85 Aspect ratio (l/d) 80.0 76.5 Tensile strength (MPa) 1050 250 Modulus of elasticity (GPa) 200 3 Cross-section form Circular Square Surface structure Hooked end Rough

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Table 4 The proportions of the concrete mixtures (based on SSD condition). Constituents Cement (kg/m3) Fly ash (kg/m3) GGBFS (kg/m3) Cementitious content (kg/m3) Water (l/m3) Water cementitious ratio Fine aggregate (kg/m3) Coarse sand Fine sand Coarse aggregate (kg/m3) Admixtures (l/m3) Superplasticiser VMA High range water reducing agent Fiber content (kg/m3) Steel PP N-SCC 160 130 110 400 208 0.52 660 221 820 4 1.3 1.6 D-SCC 160 130 110 400 208 0.52 660 221 820 4.86 1.3 1.6 30 S-SCC 160 130 110 400 208 0.52 660 221 820 4.73 1.3 1.6 5 DS-SCC 160 130 110 400 208 0.52 660 221 820 4.5 1.3 1.6 15 3

data to propose splitting tensile strength, moduli of elasticity and rupture, energy dissipated under compression models that on compressive strength and age of concrete. Also, compressive stressstrain relationships for SCC and FRSCC are compared with the test results. 3. Experimental study 3.1. Materials 3.1.1. Cement In this experimental study, Shrinkage Limited Cement (SLC) corresponding to the ASTM C183-08 [5] (AS 3972 [6]) standard was used. SLC is manufactured from specially prepared portland cement clinker and gypsum. It may contain up to 5% of AS 3972 approved additions. The chemical, physical, and mechanical properties of the cement used in the experiments are shown in Table 1. The chemical, physical, and mechanical properties adhere to the limiting value or permissible limits specied in AS 2350.2, 3, 4, 5, 8, and 11 [7]. 3.1.2. Fly ash It is important to increase the amount of paste in SCC because y ash is an agent to carry the aggregates. Eraring Fly Ash (EFA) is a natural pozzolan. It is a ne cream/grey powder that is low in lime content. The chemical and physical properties of EFA used in the experimental study are given in Table 1. The chemical, physical, and mechanical properties of the EFA used adhere to the limiting value or permissible limits specied in ASTM C311-11b [8] (ACI 232.2R-03 [9], AS 2350.2 [7], AS 3583.1, 2, 3, 5, 6, 12, and 13 [10]). 3.1.3. Ground granulated blast furnace slag Granulated Blast Furnace Slag (GGBFS) is another supplementary cementitious material that is used in combination with SLC. GGBFS used in the experiment originated in Boral, Sydney, and it conformed to ASTM C989-06 [11] (ACI 233R-95 [12] and AS 3582.2 [13]) specications. The chemical and physical properties of GGBFS are given in Table 1.

Table 5 The SCC mixes workability characteristics. Workability characteristics Average spreading diameter (mm) Flow time T50cm (s) Average J-Ring diameter (mm) Flow time T50cm J-Ring (s) L-box test Flow time V-funnel (s) V-funnel at T5min (s) Entrapped air (%) Specic gravity (kg/m3)
a

N-SCC 680 2.7 655 3.2 0.87 6 4 1.3 2340

D-SCC 670 3.8 580 5 Blockeda 7 5 1.2 2274

S-SCC 700 2.5 570 6 Blocked Blocked Blocked 1.2 2330

DS-SCC 650 3.2 560 5 Blocked Blocked Blocked 1.0 2385

Fibers are the main reason for blockage.

developments of mechanical properties with time are investigated. Also, since only a few correlations among the mechanical properties of FRSCC have been reported and are unclear. In the presented study regression analyses are conducted on existing experimental

Table 6 Compressive strength, tensile strength, modulus of elasticity, and modulus of rupture of SCC mixtures at different ages. Age (days) N-SCC D-SCC 18.50 25.30 34.30 38.00 50.50 51.15 24.45 26.57 29.14 35.76 36.44 37.58 S-SCC 13.65 22.50 32.45 38.10 42.90 47.65 25.36 27.87 29.68 35.76 36.32 37.47 DS-SCC 14.30 26.30 38.10 45.00 50.75 52.00 26.78 30.13 31.26 36.10 37.03 38.12 Age (days) N-SCC D-SCC 2.32 3.38 3.87 4.54 5.35 5.44 3.35 4.10 5.40 6.37 6.72 7.23 S-SCC 1.16 1.93 3.05 3.56 4.02 4.41 3.13 4.26 4.60 5.00 6.50 6.76 DS-SCC 1.76 2.51 3.54 4.09 4.33 4.80 2.47 3.81 4.80 5.40 6.52 7.21

Compressive strength (MPa) 3 12.45 7 21.80 14 29.05 28 33.30 56 40.60 91 46.40 Modulus of elasticity (GPa) 3 25.23 7 27.84 14 32.24 28 35.39 56 35.58 91 37.79

Tensile strength (MPa) 3 1.65 7 2.26 14 2.80 28 3.60 56 4.17 91 4.57 Modulus of rupture (MPa) 3 2.50 7 3.35 14 4.66 28 5.00 56 5.87 91 7.13

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Fig. 1. Flexural loaddeection curve of N-SCC mixture at different ages (a) 3 days, (b) 7 days, (c) 14 days, (d) 28 days, (e) 56 days, and (f) 91 days.

Fig. 2. Flexural loaddeection curve of D-SCC mixture at different ages (a) 3 days, (b) 7 days, (c) 14 days, (d) 28 days, (e) 56 days, and (f) 91 days.

3.1.4. Aggregate In this study, crushed volcanic rock (i.e., latite) coarse aggregate was used with a maximum aggregate size of 10 mm. Nepean river gravel with a maximum size of 5 mm and Kurnell natural river

sand ne aggregates were also used. The sampling and testing of aggregates were carried out in accordance with ASTM C1077-13 [14] (AS 1141 [15] and RTA [16]) and the results for coarse and ne aggregates are shown in Table 2, respectively.

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Fig. 3. Flexural loaddeection curve of S-SCC mixture at different ages (a) 3 days, (b) 7 days, (c) 14 days, (d) 28 days, (e) 56 days, and (f) 91 days.

Fig. 4. Flexural loaddeection curve of DS-SCC mixture at different ages (a) 3 days, (b) 7 days, (c) 14 days, (d) 28 days, (e) 56 days, and (f) 91 days.

3.1.5. Admixtures The superplasticiser, Viscosity-Modifying Admixture (VMA), and high-range water-reducing agent were used in this study. The new superplasticiser generation Glenium 27 complies with

AS 1478.1 [17] type High Range Water Reducer (HRWR) and ASTM C494 [18] types A and F are used. The Rheomac VMA 362 viscosity modifying admixture that used in this study is a readyto-use, liquid admixture that is specially developed for producing

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Fig. 5. Compressive stressstrain curve of (a) N-SCC, (b) D-SCC, (c) S-SCC, and (d) DS-SCC mixes at different ages.

concrete with enhanced viscosity and controlled rheological properties. Pozzolith 80 was used as a high-range water-reducing agent in the mixes. It meets AS 1478 [17] Type WRRe, requirements for admixtures. 3.1.6. Fibers In this study, two commercially available bers, Dramix RC-80/ 60-BN type steel bers and Synmix 65 type polypropylene (PP) bers were used. The mechanical, elastic and surface structure properties of the steel and PP bers are summarized in Table 3. 3.2. Mixture proportions One control SCC mixture (N-SCC) and three ber-reinforced SCC mixtures were used in this study. Fiber-reinforced SCC mixtures contain steel (D-SCC), PP (S-SCC), and hybrid (steel + PP) (DS-SCC) bers. The content proportions of these mixtures are given in Table 4. These contents were chosen to attempt to keep compressive strength to a level applicable to construction. As shown in Table 4, cement, y ash, GGBFS, water, ne and coarse aggregates, VMA, and high range water reducing agent constituents amount are same for four mixes. But, ber amount and superplasticiser that are used in the mixes are different. A forced pan type of mixer with a maximum capacity of 150 l was used. The volume of a batch with bers was kept constant at

Table 7 The energy dissipated under compression. Mix Age (days) 3 Gc (MPa) N-SCC D-SCC S-SCC DS-SCC 0.658 0.747 0.701 0.762 7 0.833 1.117 0.988 1.239 14 1.228 1.327 1.304 1.359 28 1.255 1.494 1.421 1.535 56 1.544 1.683 1.617 1.700 91 1.612 1.825 1.745 1.865

50 l. First, powders and sand are mixed for 10 s and water and superplasticiser are added and mixed for 110 s and the coarse aggregate is added and at the end bers are added to the pan and mixed for 90 s. 3.3. Samples preparation and curing conditions We used six /150 mm 300 mm molds for the determination of compressive and splitting tensile strengths per each age, and three cylindrical molds /150 mm 300 mm are used for the determination of the modulus of elasticity per each age. Meanwhile, three 100 mm 100 mm 350 mm molds are used for the determination of modulus of rupture per each age. Specimens for testing the hardened properties are prepared by direct pouring of concrete into molds without compaction. The specimens are

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kept covered in a controlled chamber at 20 2 C for 24 h until demolding. Thereafter, the specimens are placed in water presaturated with lime at 20 C. These specimens are tested at 3, 7, 14, 28, 56, and 91 days. For each test, separated specimens are used and surface of specimens are smoothed.

3.5. Properties of fresh concrete The experiments required for the SCC are generally carried out worldwide under laboratory conditions. These experiments test the liquidity, segregation, placement, and compacting of fresh concrete. Conventional workability experiments are not sufcient for the evaluation of SCC. Some of the experiment methods developed to measure the liquidity, segregation, placement, and compaction of SCC are dened in the European guidelines [23] and ACI 237R-07 [24] for SCC, including specication, production and use as slump-ow, V-funnel, U-box, L-box and ll-box tests. This study performed slump ow, T50cm time, J-ring ow, V-funnel ow time, and L-box blocking ratio tests. In order to reduce the effect of loss of workability on the variability of test results, the fresh properties of the mixes were determined within 30 min after mixing. The order of testing is as follows: 1. Slump ow test and measurement of T50cm time; 2. J-ring ow test, measurement of difference in height of concrete inside and outside the J-ring and measurement of T50cm time; 3. V-funnel ow tests at 10 s T10s and 5 min T5min; and 4. L-box test [25]. 4. Experimental results 4.1. Properties of fresh concrete The results of various fresh properties tested by the slump ow test (slump ow diameter and T50cm); J-ring test (ow diameter); L-box test (time taken to reach 400 mm distance T400mm, time taken to reach 600 mm distance T600mm, time taken to reach

3.4. Samples test methods The compressive strength test, performed on /150 mm 300 mm cylinders, followed AS 1012.14 [19] and ASTM C39 [18] tests for compressive strength of cylindrical concrete specimens. The cylinders were loaded in a testing machine under load control at the rate of 0.3 MPa/s until failure. The splitting tensile test, run on /150 mm 300 mm cylinders, was in accordance with the AS 1012.10 [20] and ASTM C496 [18] tests for splitting tensile strength of cylindrical concrete specimens, although ACI committee 544.2R [4] hardly recommends the use of the test on ber-reinforced concrete. The running arose because the ratio of ber length to cylinder diameter took a low value of 0.23 in the work and because some investigators have shown that the ASTM C496 test is applicable to ber-reinforced concrete specimens. The modulus of elasticity test that followed the AS 1012.17 [21] and ASTM C469 was done to /150 mm 300 mm cylinders. The exural strength (modulus of rupture, MOR) test, conducted using 100 mm 100 mm 350 mm test beams under third-point loading, followed the AS 1012.11 [22] and ASTM C1018 test for exural toughness and rst-crack strength of ber-reinforced concrete. The mid-span deection was the average of the ones detected by the transducers through contact with brackets attached to the beam specimen.

Fig. 6. Energy dissipated under compression (Gc) versus strain of (a) N-SCC, (b) D-SCC, (c) S-SCC, and (d) DS-SCC mixes at different ages.

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800 mm distance TL, and ratio of heights at the two edges of L-box [H2/H1]); V-funnel test (time taken by concrete to ow through Vfunnel after 10 s T10s); the amount of entrapped air; and the specic gravity of mixes are given in Table 5. The slump ow test judges the capability of concrete to deform under its own weight against the friction of the surface with no restraint present. A slump ow value ranging from 500 to 700 mm for self-compacting concrete was suggested [23]. At a slump ow >700 mm the concrete might segregate, and at <500 mm, the concrete might have insufcient ow to pass through highly congested reinforcements. All the mixes in the present study conform to the above range, because the slump ow of

SCC is in the range of 600700 mm. The slump ow time for the concrete to reach a diameter of 500 mm for all mixes was less than 4.5 s. The J-ring diameters were in the range of 560655 mm. In addition to the slump ow test, a V-funnel test was also performed to assess the owability and stability of SCC. V-funnel ow time is the elapsed time in seconds between the opening of the bottom outlet, depending when it is opened (T10s and T5min), and the time when light becomes visible at the bottom when observed from the top. According to the European guidelines [23], a period ranging from 6 to 12 s is considered adequate for SCC. The V-funnel ow times in the experiment were in the range of 711 s. The test results of this

Fig. 7. Predicted time-related mechanical properties values versus experimented values (a) compressive strength, (b) tensile strength, (c) modulus of elasticity, (d) modulus of rupture, and (e) energy dissipated under compression.

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investigation indicated that all mixes met the requirements of allowable ow time. About V-funnel ow time test results for the N-SCC mix was 6 s and for the D-SCC was 7 s and for other ber reinforced SCC mixes are blocked, obviously. The maximum size of coarse aggregate was restricted to 10 mm to avoid a blocking effect in the L-box for N-SCC mix. The gap between rebars in the L-box test was 35 mm. The L-box ratio H2/H1 for the N-SCC mix was above 0.8 which is, according to the European guidelines and, obviously, for other mixes is blocked. A total spread over 700 mm was measured and no sign of segregation or considerable bleeding in any of the mixtures was detected as the mixtures showed good homogeneity and cohesion. 4.2. Compressive strength Table 6 presents the compressive strength of N-SCC, D-SCC, SSCC, and DS-SCC mixes achieved at different ages. Compressive strength samples with ber mixes are higher than N-SCC mix. Samples with the S-SCC mix have lower compressive strength unlike the D-SCC and DS-SCC mixes. The average compressive strength of the DS-SCC mix is 19%, 4%, and 13% higher than the N-SCC, D-SCC, and S-SCC mixes, respectively. The results show that the D-SCC mix at three days was 32%, 26%, and 22% higher than the N-SCC, S-SCC and DS-SCC mixes respectively. Furthermore, the results indicate that the compressive strength of the DS-SCC mix at 91 days is 11%, 1%, and 8% higher than the N-SCC, D-SCC, and SSCC mixes, respectively.

4.3. Tensile strength Table 6 presents the splitting tensile strengths of N-SCC, D-SCC, S-SCC, and DS-SCC mixes determined at different ages. The tensile strengths of the D-SCC and DS-SCC samples are higher than those of the N-SCC and S-SCC. The S-SCC mix has a lower tensile strength than N-SCC. The average tensile strength of the D-SCC mix is 23%, 27%, and 15% higher than that of the N-SCC, S-SCC, and DS-SCC mixes, respectively. Moreover, the results indicate that the tensile strength of the D-SCC mix at 91 days is 16%, 19%, and 12% higher than that of the N-SCC, S-SCC, and DS-SCC mixes, respectively. 4.4. Modulus of elasticity Table 6 presents the modulus of elasticity of N-SCC, D-SCC, SSCC, and DS-SCC mixes attained at different ages. The average modulus of elasticity of DS-SCC mix is 2%, 4% and 3%, higher than that of the N-SCC, D-SCC, and S-SCC mixes, respectively. The results show that the N-SCC mix at 14 days age is 9%, 8%, and 3% higher than D-SCC, S-SCC, and DS-SCC mixes, respectively. Additionally, the results indicate that the tensile strength of the DS-SCC mix at 91 days is 0.8%, 1%, and 1% higher than that of the N-SCC, D-SCC, and S-SCC mixes, respectively. 4.5. Modulus of rupture (exural tensile strength) Table 6 and Figs. 14 present the exural tensile strengths and exural loaddeection curve of N-SCC, D-SCC, S-SCC, and DS-SCC

Fig. 8. Predicted compressive strength-related mechanical properties values versus experimented values (a) tensile strength, (b) modulus of elasticity, and (c) modulus of rupture.

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Fig. 9. Comparison between experimented (a) N-SCC, (b) D-SCC, (c) S-SCC, and (d) DS-SCC mixes compressive stressstrain curve results with proposed relationship.

mixes determined at different ages. The average exural tensile strength of the D-SCC mix is 14%, 9%, and 9% higher than that of the N-SCC, S-SCC, and DS-SCC mixes, respectively. The results show that the S-SCC mix at seven days is 21%, 4% and 10% higher than the N-SCC, D-SCC, and DS-SCC mixes, respectively. Also, the results indicate that exural tensile strength of D-SCC mix at 91 days is 1%, 6%, and 0.2% higher than that of the N-SCC, S-SCC, and DSSCC mixes, respectively. 4.6. Compressive stressstrain curve Complete stressstrain curves of the concrete of specimens were obtained from the compression tests of the cylinders with a controlled displacement rate. For each mix, three cylinders were tested. As the test results reproduced well, each stressstrain curves shown in Fig. 5 represents the average results of the three tests. It should be noted that the axial strains of the concrete in compression were obtained from the full height shortening of the cylinders using LVDTs. To assure stable tests in the softening phase the testing equipment should have enough stiffness and sophisticated PID control should be available. During the test, the strains were obtained from the relative displacement of the loading platens. For this purpose three LVDTs were disposed around the test sample forming an angle of 120 between consecutive LVDTs. This test set up avoids that the deformation of the test equipment is added to the displacements read by the LVDTs. This arrangement of the transducers also allows that the specimen deformation in the longitudinal axis, can be computed simply by the average readouts of the three transducers. There is no need to attend to the rotation of the upper loading paten, since the computed deforma-

tion is at the longitudinal axis of the specimen. The strain was calculated from the average displacement readings divided by the height of the specimen. The used testing rig has these features and the tests were carried out in displacement control. The compression stressstrain curves at increasing ages of N-SCC, D-SCC, S-SCC, and DS-SCC mixes are shown in Fig. 5. All the brous SCC mixes veried more substantial ductility than the corresponding N-SCC mix. Commonly, the nature of failure in compression for the N-SCC mix tended to be more sudden and brittle as the age of the concrete increased. On the other hand, with the increasing age, the majority of the brous SCC mixes maintained their ductility and gradual failure mechanism. 4.7. Energy dissipated under compression The energy absorption per unit volume under compression was determined as the area under the stress (r)/strain (e) curve, the value can be calculated using Eq. (1):

Gc

Z
0

eu

r de

The Gc value was always determined until a ultimate deformation,

eu, of 0.05, where it was expected that the residual strength would
be small. Table 7 includes the average values of Gc. In general, the concrete energy absorption increased with age. The major part of the energy is released in the softening phase that is too dependent on the ber reinforcement mechanisms provided by bers crossing the cracks. The efciency of those mechanisms depend considerably on the ber bond length and ber orientation towards the cracks

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they bridge, whose homogeneity cannot be assumed between two, apparently, equal batches. The variation of the energy dissipated under compression with the strain is represented in Fig. 6. In general, Gc increased with strain more quickly for the older specimens, 56 and 91 days than for the specimens with 3, 7, 14 and 28 days. 5. Analytical relationships for the mechanical properties 5.1. Time-related mechanical properties relationships To estimate the SCC mixes compressive strength, tensile strength, modulus of elasticity, modulus of rupture, and energy dissipated under compression at various ages, Eqs. (2)(6) are proposed based on regression analyses of the experimental data. Fig. 7 shows that the proposed time-related relationships of compressive strength, tensile strength, modulus of elasticity, modulus of rupture, and energy dissipated under compression are in good agreement with the experimental results. Also, R2 (correlation coefcient) of proposed models in comparison with experimental results is shown in Fig. 7. 5.1.1. Compressive strength

Mix N-SCC D-SCC S-SCC DS-SCC

Ec EcN EcfD EcfS EcfDS

g
9.47 8.40 9.30 10.47

l
21.42 19.20 20.83 23.15

where EcN is the N-SCC mix modulus of elasticity, EcfD is the D-SCC mix modulus of elasticity, EcfS is the S-SCC mix modulus of elasticity, EcfDS is the DS-SCC mix modulus of elasticity, and g and l are the empirical constants. 5.1.4. Modulus of rupture

fcrm t

fcr lnt u w

Mix

fcr fcrN fcrfD fcrfS fcrfDS

w
3.89 5.39 4.75 3.99

/ 1.00 2.07 1.96 1.08

fcm t

fc0

lnt b

N-SCC D-SCC S-SCC DS-SCC

Mix N-SCC D-SCC S-SCC DS-SCC

fc0
0 fcN 0 fcfD 0 fcfS 0 fcfDS

a
3.47 3.75 3.84 3.96

b 2.54 6.66 3.87 4.54 where fcrN is the N-SCC mix modulus of rupture, fcrfD is the D-SCC mix modulus of rupture, fcrfS is the S-SCC mix modulus of rupture, fcrfDS is the DS-SCC mix modulus of rupture, and w and / are the empirical constants. 5.1.5. Energy dissipated under compression

where is the N-SCC mix compressive strength, is the D-SCC 0 mix compressive strength, fcfS is the S-SCC mix compressive 0 strength, fcfDS is the DS-SCC mix compressive strength, and a and b are the empirical constants. 5.1.2. Tensile strength

0 fcN

0 fcfD

Gcm t

Gc

lnt q

Mix N-SCC D-SCC S-SCC DS-SCC

Gc GcN GcfD GcfS GcfDS

x
4.33 4.91 4.69 5.16

q
0.340 0.476 0.411 0.541

fctm t

fct

lnt k

Mix N-SCC D-SCC S-SCC DS-SCC

fct fctN fctfD fctfS fctfDS

c
4.09 4.87 3.69 4.60

k 0.60 1.43 0.19 0.91 where GcN is the N-SCC mix energy dissipated under compression, GcfD is the D-SCC mix energy dissipated under compression, GcfS is the S-SCC mix energy dissipated under compression, and GcfDS is the DS-SCC mix energy dissipated under compression. 5.2. Compressive strength-related mechanical properties relationships

where fctN is the N-SCC mix tensile strength, fctfD is the D-SCC mix 0 0 tensile strength, fctfS is the S-SCC mix tensile strength, fctfDS is the DS-SCC mix tensile strength, and c and k are the empirical constants. 5.1.3. Modulus of elasticity

Ecm t

Ec

lnt l

Eqs. (5)(7) are proposed based on regression analyses of the experimental data to predict the SCC mixes tensile strength, modulus of elasticity, and modulus of rupture based on the compressive strength. The bases of the proposed relationships are captured from Aslani and Nejadis [1] study. Fig. 8 indicates the proposed compressive strength-related relationships of tensile strength, modulus of elasticity, and modulus of rupture are in good agreement with the experimental results. Moreover, R2 (correlation coefcient) of proposed models in comparison with experimental results is shown in Fig. 8.

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F. Aslani, S. Nejadi / Composites: Part B 53 (2013) 121133

5.2.1. Tensile strength

fct g1 fc0 g2
Mix N-SCC D-SCC S-SCC DS-SCC fct fctN fctfD fctfS fctfDS fc0
0 fcN 0 fcfD 0 fcfS 0 fcfDS

g1
0.204 0.237 0.067 0.226

g2
0.8047 0.7999 1.0889 0.7585

where rc is concrete stress, fc0 maximum compressive strength of concrete, n material parameter that depends on the shape of the stressstrain curve, e concrete strain, e0c strain corresponding with the maximum stress fc0 , n1 modied material parameter at the ascending branch, n2 modied material parameter at the descending branch, Ec modulus of elasticity, Esec secant modulus of elasticity, n1 modied material parameter at the ascending branch, n2 modied material parameter at the descending branch, and q, x coefcients of linear equation.

6. Conclusions 5.2.2. Modulus of elasticity The following conclusions can be drawn from this study:

Ec j

0 j2 1 fc

Mix N-SCC D-SCC S-SCC DS-SCC

Ec EcN EcfD EcfS EcfDS

fc0
0 fcN 0 fcfD 0 fcfS 0 fcfDS

j1
10.913 6.649 10.395 12.895

j2
0.3226 0.4383 0.3271 0.2651

5.2.3. Modulus of rupture

fcr d1 fc0 d2

Mix N-SCC D-SCC S-SCC DS-SCC

fcr fcrN fcrfD fcrfS fcrfDS

fc0
0 fcN 0 fcfD 0 fcfS 0 fcfDS

d1 0.325 0.376 0.670 0.309

d2 0.7871 0.7511 0.5818 0.7714

5.3. Compressive stressstrain relationship In this study, a compressive stressstrain relationship (Eqs. (10)(17)) for SCC mixes that is based on authors [1,26] model was developed by using the proposed compressive strength (Eq. (2)) and elastic modulus (Eqs. (4), (8)) relationships. Fig. 9 shows that the proposed stressstrain relationship ts the experimental results well. In Fig. 9, typical 91 days age compressive stressstrain curve results are selected to compare with the proposed compressive stressstrain relationship.

 Experimental investigation and analytical study were performed to develop a simple and rational mathematical model for the prediction of mechanical properties and complete stressstrain curves of concrete under compressive load. Four different SCC mixes were used in the experiment. These mixes include N-SCC (normal SCC), D-SCC (steel ber-reinforced SCC), S-SCC (PP ber-reinforced SCC), and DS-SCC (hybrid ber-reinforced SCC).  Based on the experimental results: (a) the average compressive strength and modulus of elasticity of the DSSCC mix is higher than that of the N-SCC, D-SCC, and SSCC mixes, respectively; (b) the average tensile strength of the D-SCC mix is higher than that of the DS-SCC, NSCC, and S-SCC mixes, respectively; (c) the average modulus of rupture of the D-SCC mix is higher than that of the N-SCC, S-SCC, and DS-SCC mixes, respectively.  The proposed analytical expressions to predict the most signicant mechanical properties (i.e., compressive strength, tensile strength, modulus of elasticity, modulus of rupture, and energy dissipated under compression) of the developed SCC mixes are in a good agreement compare to experimental results.  The proposed compressive stressstrain model based on the authors model with several modications (i.e., changing the ascending and descending portions) is developed by using the proposed compressive strength and elastic modulus models that are in good agreement with the experimental results for the developed SCC mixes.

Acknowledgements This work was supported by Centre for Built Infrastructure Research, School of Civil and Environmental Engineering, University of Technology Sydney, Australia. The authors would like to express their sincere gratitude and appreciation to Boral, BOSFA, and Concrite companies.

rc

  c n e e0c  n fc0 c n1 e e0
c

10
References

n n1 1:02 1:17Esec =Ec 0:74 n n2 n1 - 28 f if

if

ec 6 e0c

11 12 13 14 15 16 17

ec P e0c

- 135:16 0:1744fc0 0:46

f 0:83 exp911=fc0 Esec fc0 =e0c  0  f m  e0c c Ec m 1 fc0 m 0:8 17

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