Fracture Mechanics of Concrete and Concrete Structures -

High Performance, Fiber Reinforced Concrete, Special Loadings and Structural Applications- B. H. Oh, et al. (eds)
ⓒ 2010 Korea Concrete Institute, ISBN 978-89-5708-182-2

Shearresistance
Shear resistanceofofultra
ultrahigh
high performance
performance fibre-reinforced
fibre-reinforced concrete
concrete
I-beams
I-beams
F.
F. Baby,
Baby,J.J.Billo,
Billo,J.-C.
J.-C.Renaud,
Renaud,C. C.
Massotte, P. Marchand,
Massotte, F. Toutlemonde
P. Marchand, F. Toutlemonde
Dept.
Dept.for
forBridges
BridgesBehavior
Behaviorand Durability,
and LCPC,
Durability, Paris-Est
LCPC, University,
Paris-Est Paris,Paris,
University, FranceFrance
A.
A. Simon
Simon
Principal
PrincipalEngineer,
Engineer,Eiffage
EiffageTP,TP,
Neuilly sursur
Neuilly Marne, France
Marne, France
P.
P. Lussou
Lussou
Principal Engineer, Phd, Lafarge, L’Isle d’Abeau, France
Principal Engineer, Phd, Lafarge, L’Isle d’Abeau, France

ABSTRACT: Ultra High Performance Fibre-Reinforced Concrete (UHPFRC) refers to materials with a ce-
ment matrix and a characteristic compressive strength in excess of 150 MPa, and containing steel fibres in or-
der to achieve ductile behaviour under tension. Thanks to these outstanding properties thin and durable struc-
tural elements can be made. Shear verifications of structures made of UHPFRC are thus often critical. The
possibility to add the stirrups force at yielding and the post-cracking fibres contribution in the theoretical es-
timate of the ultime shear resistance requires appropriate verification. In order to quantify the safety margin
of shear design provisions, an experimental campaign has been carried out at the LCPC (French Public Works
Research Institute). In a Four-Point Bending configuration, shear tests have been conducted on nine 3m-long
I-shaped girders with varied types of shear reinforcement (stirrups, fibers and both) combined with longitudi-
nal prestressing or passive reinforcement.

1 INTRODUCTION An experimental program was thus defined, within

Many parameters such as the properties of concrete
used, the slenderness, the presence or not of shear
reinforcement, the tension reinforcement ratio and
the cross section influence the shear capacity of
beams. For fiber reinforced concrete properties,
main parameters are the fiber content, their shape,
their dimensions and the quality of cementitious ma-
trix. Many previous programs have indicated the
major positive effect of fiber content and presence of
stirrups on shear behavior of beams (Mansur 1986,
Narayanan 1987, Li 1992, Casanova 1995, Khuntia
1999, Noghabai 2000) and have shown the syner-
getic effect of both factors (beyond a minimum
shear reinforcement ratio) in the case of “normal”
fiber reinforced concrete (Swamy et al., 1993).
Since UHPFRC tensile post-cracking behavior and
bond capacity significantly differs from fibre-
reinforced conventional concrete, it is necessary to
check experimentally for structures made of
UHPFRC with transversal passive reinforcement,
the simultaneity of fibres contribution and the stir-
rups effort at yielding for the ultime shear resistance.
Moreover, previous research on UHPFRC (Sato et
al. 2008) and High Performance Reinforced Con-
crete (Cucchiara et al. 2008), have shown a synergy
of fibres and stirrups for shear behaviour but not at
the Ultimate Limit State (ULS) due to a quite prema-
ture flexural failure of specimens with transversal
passive reinforcement.
AFGC (Association Française de Génie Civil) Task
group on UHPFRC, including Lafarge and Eiffage
as partners, to complement the experimental back-
ground on UHPFRC shear design provisions.
2 SHEAR TESTS
2.1 Specimens and parameters
All specimens were fabricated in a precast factory
(Veldhoven, the Netherlands) in industrial condi-
tions, using two concrete mixes (A and B) presented
in Table 1. The results of preliminary tests of mate-
rial characterization are also shown. Material input
data will be further identified according to the
French AFGC Recommendations on UHPFRC
(AFGC-Sétra 2002). The workability of these mate-
rials is close to self-compacting concrete.
During the manufacturing of beams made of con-
crete A, the prestressed beam with stirrups was not
satisfactorily cast. An additional batching was de-
cided for both prestressed beams. Consequently two
batches exist for the first concrete mix: A and A-bis.
Two days after casting, the beams made of concrete
B were placed during 48 hours in a climate-
conditioned box at 90°C with a relative humidity of
about 100 %. The intent of this step is to increase the
mechanical characteristics of concrete up to 10 %
and to reach the final maturity of heat treated com-
ponent: the total further shrinkage is zero and the
creep is significantly reduced after the heat treat-
ment.
J = − D ( h , T ) ∇h (1) explicitly accounts for the evolution of hydration
reaction and SF content. This sorption isotherm
The proportionality coefficient D(h,T) is called
Table 1. UHPFRC mix characteristics. readsto fibre blockage if enough space for concrete
due
moisture permeability and it isSteel a nonlinear
straight function flow into the mold could not have been provided.
of the relative humidity
fc h and temperature T (Bažant
fibers Vf
The full details of dimensions
⎡ and arrangement
⎤ of
& Najjar 1972). The(MPa)
Concrete Mix
moisture mass
cube
balance requires
Lf – ĭf (%) reinforcement are shown in⎢ Figures 1 and
we (h α c α s ) = G (α c α s )⎢ − 1 2. ⎥
+
that the variation in time of the water mass per unit ∞ − α )h ⎥
, , , 1
(mm)
(g α
1

volume ofA concrete (water

195 content 20 w ) be equal2.5to the
- 0.3
⎢
⎣ e c c ⎥⎦ 10
1
(4)
divergence
A-bisof the moisture
202 flux J20 - 0.3 2.5 ⎡ (g α
∞ − α )h ⎤
B 212 13 - 0.2 2
K (α c α s ) e
,⎢ c c − ⎥
10
1
1

− ∂ The (2) ⎢ ⎥
1
= ∇main
w
•J ⎣ ⎦
∂ t
parameters studied in this experimental
program were the UHPFRC mix, the active or pas-
The water content w can be expressed as the sum
sive longitudinal reinforcement and the presence of where the first term (gel isotherm) represents the
of the evaporable we (capillary
water were physically bound (adsorbed) water and the second
tested. Anwater, water
shear reinforcement in the specimens. Nine beams of
I-shaped cross section
vapor, andcharacteristics
adsorbed water) and intheTable overview of
non-evaporable term (capillary isotherm) represents the capillary
beams is shown
(chemically bound) water wn (Mills 1966,
2. water. This expression is valid only for low content
Pantazopoulo & Mills
of the1995). It is reasonable to of SF. The coefficient G1 represents the amount of
Table 2. Parameters
assume that the evaporable
shear tests.
water is a function of water per unit volume held in the gel pores at 100%
relative humidity, hMix
Reinforced
, degree of hydration, Stirrups
Concrete
αc, and relative humidity, and it can be expressed (Norling
Mjornell 1997) as
Specimen /
degree of silica fume reaction, α s, i.e. we=we(h,αc,αs)
Prestressed
= Beam
age-dependent
1-A
sorption/desorption
A Prestressed
isotherm
no

(Norling Mjonell 1997). c α c+ ks α s

B Under this assumption no and
Beam 1-A-bis A-bis Prestressed no
Beam 1-B Prestressed G (α c α s ) = k vg
,
c of prestressed
vg s beams with stirrups (5)
by Beam
substituting
2-A-bis Equation
A-bis 1 into Equation yes
Prestressed 2 one 1
Figure 1. Cross section
obtains
Beam 2-B B Prestressed yes (Dimensions in mm).
Beam 3-A A Reinforced no where kcvg and ksvg are material parameters. From the
∂wBeam
Beam 3-B B
∂w ∂w
Reinforced no maximum amount of water per unit volume that can
e ∂h4-A e e
+ ∇ • ( D ∇h ) B
− Beam 4-B
h
A
= α&c +
Reinforced
α& + w&n yes
(3) fill all pores (both capillary pores and gel pores), one
∂h ∂t ∂α ∂α s
Reinforced yes
can calculate K1 as one obtains
c s
The beams were 3 meters in total length having a
where
span∂w 2.0 is
ofe/∂h the slope
meters and a of thedepth
total sorption/desorption
of 380 mm. The
⎡
⎢ 10⎜
⎛
g α c∞ − α c ⎞⎟h ⎤⎥
isotherm
effective(also depth called
was 305 moisture
mm for all capacity).
beams. The webThe w − 0.188 α s + 0.22α s G
c s − ⎢1 − e ⎝ 1 ⎠
⎥

governing equationas a(Equation 3) must be completed (6)

0 1
⎢ ⎥
was designed thin membrane 65 mm-thick. The
K (α c α s ) = ⎣ ⎦
by appropriate
top flange was boundary
270 mmand wideinitial
and conditions.
the bottom flange 1
,
⎛
g αc − αc h
∞ ⎞

The relation between the amount of evaporable

10⎜ ⎟
230 mm. e ⎝ 1
− ⎠ 1

water
Forand relativebeams,
prestressed humidity is called
the lower chord‘‘adsorption
was preten-
isotherm”
sioned if measured
with six rectilinearwith
T15S increasing
tendons, relativity
each with a The material parameters kcvg and ksvg and g1 can
humidity and ‘‘desorption isotherm” in the opposite
prestressing force of 170 kN. For other specimens,
be calibrated by fitting experimental data relevant to
case.with
Neglecting their difference (Xi et al. 1994), in
the passive longitudinal reinforcement was realized
five #20 and one #25 rebar. The shear rein- free (evaporable) water content in concrete at
the forcement
following, consisted in isotherm”
‘‘sorption #6 stirrupswill and be
wasused with
installed various ages (Di Luzio & Cusatis 2009b).
reference to both sorption and desorption
in four specimens with 75 mm spacing. The shear conditions.
By reinforcement
the way, ifratio the washysteresis of value
the moisture 2.2
0.6 %. This has been Figure Temperature evolution
isotherm
chosenwould be taken
to represent theinto
ratioaccount,
existing two different
in real struc-
2. Cross section of reinforced beams with stirrups.
relation, evaporable water vs (inrelative humidity,are must
(Dimensions in mm).
tures made of UHPFRC which stirrups gen- Note that, at early age, since the chemical reactions
be used
erallyaccording
used just to as the signhelp
a local of theforvariation of the
shear capacity) associated with cement hydration and SF reaction
relativity humidity.
and to produce The shape
a significant of theof transver-
contribution sorption are exothermic,
2.2 Loading setupthe andtemperature field is not uniform
instrumentation
isotherm for HPC is influenced by many parameters,
sal steel reinforcement (approximately 20 % of the for non-adiabatic
All beam specimens systems even ifinthea environmental
were tested four point
especially those that influence extent and rate of the
total ultime shear resistance). temperature
bending is constant.
configuration Heat
(Fig. 3). Theconduction can be
span was 2 me-
chemical reactions with
Only specimens and, shear
in turn, determinehadpore
reinforcement an described
ters and theinshear
concrete, at least
span ratio wasfor
2.5temperature
in order to not
structure and pore size distribution (water-to-cement
upper steel rebar (#10). In order to get homogene- exceeding
avoid 100°Carching
an important (Bažant & Kaplan 1996), by
action.
ratio,
ously cement chemical
distribute composition,
fibers throughout SF content,
the whole speci- Fourier’s law, which reads
In all tests, the load was applied in 50-kN incre-
curing time and method, temperature, mix additives,
men, the distance between reinforcements or be- ments until failure. After each load increase reached
etc.).tween
higher thanliterature
In the 30 mm various
(= 1.5 u formulations
the Maximumcan
formwork and steel reinforcing bars was fixed
be q = − λ ∇T the new appeared cracks were identi-
stabilization,
found to describe the sorption isotherm of Fiber
normal fied and the maximum of diagonal and flexural (7)
Length). Indeed the combination of fibres and shear
concrete (Xi et al.could
reinforcement 1994).
haveHowever, in the present
shown a negative effect
crack openings were measured thanks to a magnify-
where
ing ismicro
glass qwith the graduation.
heat flux, T is the absolute
paper the semi-empirical expression proposed by temperature, and λ is the heat conductivity; in this
Norling Mjornell (1997) is adopted because it

Proceedings of FraMCoS-7, May 23-28, 2010

 J = − D ( h , T ) ∇h
The strain gauges hadThebeen
proportionality
glued before coefficient
casting. D(h,T)
The Vishay AE10 moisture
type glue permeability andtoiten-
had been heated is a nonlinea
sure correct bondofeven
the relative humidityand
after concreting h and temperature
heat
treatment. & Najjar 1972). The moisture mass balanc
that the variation in time of the water mas
volume of concrete (water content w) be eq
3 divergence
RESULTS AND DISCUSSIONof the moisture flux J
Figures 5-6 show −the ∂wexperimental
= ∇•J load-deflection
curves for prestressed∂tand reinforced beams, respec-
tively.
The water content w can be expressed a
of the evaporable water we (capillary wa
vapor, and adsorbed water) and the non-e
(chemically bound) water wn (Mil
Figure 3. Overview of the specimen under four point bending
test. Pantazopoulo & Mills 1995). It is reas
assume that the evaporable water is a fu
For all specimens, the instrumentation included fif- relative humidity, h, degree of hydration
teen LVDT sensors: five to capture the vertical de- degree of silica fume reaction, αs, i.e. we=w
flection of the girder (two of them are used to iden- = age-dependent sorption/desorption
tify the settlement on support), six to measure the (Norling Mjonell 1997). Under this assum
diagonal cracks opening and three at midspan of the by substituting Equation 1 into Equati
beam to identify the linear strain diagram within the obtains
constant bending Moment zone. Additionally, two
rosettes (one for each shear span) were attached to
∂w ∂w
obtain principal strains direction. Figure 5. Load-deflection e ∂hof+ prestressed
− curves ∇ • ( D ∇hbeams.
) =
e α& + ∂we α& + w
For beams with passive longitudinal reinforcement ∂h ∂t h ∂α c
∂α s

and with stirrups, strain gauges were attached to c s

measure strain in every second stirrup at the center
of web, in each shear span. Locations of the strain where ∂we/∂h is the slope of the sorption/
gauges and reference number of stirrups are shown isotherm (also called moisture capac
in Figure 4. governing equation (Equation 3) must be
by appropriate boundary and initial conditi
The relation between the amount of e
water and relative humidity is called ‘‘
isotherm” if measured with increasing
humidity and ‘‘desorption isotherm” in th
case. Neglecting their difference (Xi et al.
the following, ‘‘sorption isotherm” will be
reference to both sorption and desorption c
Bycurves
Figure 6. Load-deflection the ofway, if beams.
reinforced the hysteresis of the
isotherm would be taken into account, two
relation, evaporable water vs relative humi
Despite they were be used according
fabricated to the sign
with a different batch,of the varia
the behaviour of beamsrelativity
1-A andhumidity. The very
1-A-bis were shape of the
isotherm for HPC is influenced by many p
similar with approximately the same ultime load.
Except beams with especially those that influence
passive longitudinal reinforce-extent and
chemical reactions and,failed
ment and with stirrups, all specimens have in inturn, determ
shear, exhibiting astructure and pore size distribution (water-
largely opened diagonal tension
crack (Figs 7-8-9-10).ratio, cement chemical composition, SF
curing time and method, temperature, mix
etc.). In the literature various formulatio
Figure 4. Locations and reference number of stirrups on which found to describe the sorption isotherm
strain gauges were attached. (Dimensions in mm). concrete (Xi et al. 1994). However, in th
paper the semi-empirical expression pro
Norling Mjornell (1997) is adopted b

Proceedings of FraMCoS-7, May 23-28, 2010

J = − D ( h , T ) ∇h (1) explicitly accounts for the evolution of hydration
reaction and SF content. This sorption isotherm
The proportionality coefficient D(h,T) is called reads
Concerning beams 4-A and 4-B, they failed in bend-
moisture permeability and it is a nonlinear function ing but with large openings of diagonal cracks which
of the relative humidity h and temperature T (Bažant indicate that the maximum⎡load applied was close ⎤ to
& Najjar 1972). The moisture mass balance requires the ultimate shear capacity.
we (h, α4-A
, α ) = G (α , α ) 1 −
⎢ Figure 11 shows, ⎥ for
c s ⎢ 10(g α ∞ − α )h ⎥ +by
1

that the variation in time of the water mass per unit beams c s and 4-B,
1
the displacements measured
volume of concrete (water content w) be equal to the LVDT sensors which were⎢ fixed at145°
e c on cthe ⎥⎦web.
The measure of stirrups strain confirms occurrence (4)
⎣
divergence of the moisture flux J 10(g α
of yielding of some shear ⎡reinforcements ∞ − α )h(Figs⎤ 12-
1 cload c
13). The maximum K1 (α c , α s ) e
⎢
experimental − 1⎥ on
applied
− ∂ = ∇•J
w
(2) beams 4-A and 4-B can ⎢⎣thus be considered ⎥⎦as a
∂ t lower bound estimate of the shear resistance, with
reasonably low difference.
The water content w can be expressed as the sum where the first term (gel isotherm) represents the
of the evaporable water we (capillary water, water physically bound (adsorbed) water and the second
vapor, and
Figure adsorbed
7.Shear failure ofwater) and the non-evaporable
Beam 1-B. term (capillary isotherm) represents the capillary
(chemically bound) water wn (Mills 1966, water. This expression is valid only for low content
Pantazopoulo & Mills 1995). It is reasonable to of SF. The coefficient G1 represents the amount of
assume that the evaporable water is a function of water per unit volume held in the gel pores at 100%
relative humidity, h, degree of hydration, αc, and relative humidity, and it can be expressed (Norling
degree of silica fume reaction, αs, i.e. we=we(h,αc,αs) Mjornell 1997) as
= age-dependent sorption/desorption isotherm
(Norling Mjonell 1997). Under this assumption and c α c+ ks α s
G (α c α s ) = k vg (5)
by substituting Equation 1 into Equation 2 one 1
,
c vg s
obtains
where kcvg and ksvg are material parameters. From the
∂w ∂h maximum amount ofmeasured
water by
perLVDT
unit sensors
volumefixed
thatat can
e + ∇ • ( D ∇h) = ∂we ∂w
Figure 11. Displacement
−
h α&c + e α&s + w&n (3) fill all pores (both capillary pores and gel pores), one
45°- Load curves of reinforced beams with stirrups.
∂h ∂t ∂α ∂α can calculate K1 as one obtains
c s
Figure 8. Shear failure of Beam 2-A-bis.
where ∂we/∂h is the slope of the sorption/desorption ⎡
⎢ 10⎜
⎛
g α c∞ − α c ⎞⎟h ⎤⎥
isotherm (also called moisture capacity). The w α s + 0.22α s G
− 0.188
c s − ⎢1 − e ⎝ 1 ⎠
⎥

governing equation (Equation 3) must be completed (6)

0 1
⎢ ⎥
K (α c α s ) = ⎣ ⎦
by appropriate boundary and initial conditions. 1
,
⎛
g αc − αc h
∞ ⎞

The relation between the amount of evaporable

10⎜ ⎟
e ⎝ 1 ⎠− 1

water and relative humidity is called ‘‘adsorption

isotherm” if measured with increasing relativity
humidity and ‘‘desorption isotherm” in the opposite
case. Neglecting their difference (Xi et al. 1994), in
the following, ‘‘sorption isotherm” will be used with
reference to both sorption and desorption conditions.
By the way, if the hysteresis of the moisture
isotherm would
Figure 9. be taken
Shear failure into3-A.account, two different
of Beam
relation, evaporable water vs relative humidity, must
be used according to the sign of the variation of the
relativity humidity. The shape of the sorption
isotherm for HPC is influenced by many parameters,
especially those that influence extent and rate of the
chemical reactions and, in turn, determine pore
structure and pore size distribution (water-to-cement
ratio, cement chemical composition, SF content,
curing time and method, temperature, mix additives,
etc.). In the literature various formulations can be
found to describe the sorption isotherm of normal
concrete (Xi et al. 1994). However, in the present
paper the semi-empirical expression proposed by
Norling Mjornell (1997) is adopted because it
Figure 10. Shear failure of Beam 3-B.
The material parameters kcvg and ksvg and g1 can
be calibrated by fitting experimental data relevant to
free (evaporable) water content in concrete at
various ages (Di Luzio & Cusatis 2009b).
Figure 12. Strain development in stirrups for beam 4-A.
2.2 Temperature evolution
Note that, at early age, since the chemical reactions
associated with cement hydration and SF reaction
are exothermic, the temperature field is not uniform
for non-adiabatic systems even if the environmental
temperature is constant. Heat conduction can be
described in concrete, at least for temperature not
exceeding 100°C (Bažant & Kaplan 1996), by
Fourier’s law, which reads
q = − λ ∇T (7)
where q is the heat flux, T is the absolute
temperature, and is the heat conductivity; in this
λ
Figure 13. Strain development in stirrups for beam 4-B.

Proceedings of FraMCoS-7, May 23-28, 2010

 J = − D ( h , T ) ∇h
From the designer’s point of view, all the results are The proportionality
All Material Safety factors have been taken coefficient
equal D(h,T)
compared (Tab. 3) with the theoretical shear strength to 1 in equation (1)moisture permeability and it is a nonlinea
for purpose of design provision
prediction obtained with the French AFGC Recom- validation. of the relative
Material input data&have
humidity h and temperature
mendations on UHPFRC (1). Najjar 1972). The moisture mass balanc
not been again completely
that the variation in time of the water mas
identified. Thus quantitative assumptions have been
made for the stirrups force at yielding
( f y = 600 MPa comparedofwith
volume concrete (water content w) be eq
Vult Vrb  Va  V f (1)
the characteristic
Vrb is the term for the contribution of the concrete, divergence of the moisture
value f y = 500 MPa), the concrete compressive flux J
Va is the term for the contribution of the stirrups, strength ( f c =185 MPa) and for the post cracking
V f is the term for the contribution of the fibres.
∂w =latter
tensile strength Vp.−This ∇concrete
• J valuemixes,
has been taken
equal to 10 MPa for ∂both
t referring
- For reinforced concrete: to previous results of characterization tests realized
for concrete A andThe B. water content prestressed
Concerning w can be expressed a
* Vrb 0.21 ˜ k ˜ f cj ˜ b0 ˜ d beams, the angle ofofstruts
the (evaporable
E u ) has been water we (capillary wa
determined
by iteration. vapor, and adsorbed water) and the non-e
3 ˜ V cm
According to these (chemically
experimentalbound) waterap- wn (Mil
results, the
k 1 in compression Pantazopoulo & Mills 1995). It is reas
proach proposed by the French recommendations is

maximum applied assume thatfrom

the 1.35
evaporable water is a fu
f tj conservative in all cases. The safety factor on the
load ranges to 1.61 for
0.7 ˜ V tm prestressed beams relative
and fromhumidity, h, degree
1.76 to 1.97 of hydration
for rein-
k 1 in tension forced beams. degree of silica fume reaction, αs, i.e. we=w
f tj = age-dependent sorption/desorption
At (Norling Mjonell 1997). Under this assum
Table 3. Comparison of experimental and theoretical results
* Va 0 .9 ˜ d ˜
st
˜ fy by substituting Equation 1 into Equati
with the French AFGC Recommendations on UHPFRC (eq. 1)
obtains
Type of
Maximum
experimentally
Maximum
predicted
Specimen
*V f 0.9 ˜ d ˜ b0 ˜ V p failure applied force applied force
∂w ∂h (kN) ∂w(kN) ∂w
Beam 1-A − e
Shear ∇ • ( D ∇h) = 651
+ 883 e α& + e α&s + w
- For prestressed concrete: Shear ∂h ∂t 881 h ∂α651 c
∂α
Beam 1-A-bis
Beam 1-B Shear 1031 c
651 s
* Vrb 0.24 ˜ f cj ˜ b0 ˜ z Beam 2-A-bis Shear 1115 790
Beam 2-B where
Shear /∂h
∂we1275 is the slope of the sorption/
790
At 2 ˜W u
Beam 3-A isotherm (also called moisture capac
Shear 923 470
* Va zu u f y u cot anE u , avec tan E u Beam 3-B governing equation (Equation 3) must be
Shear 910 470
st V cd Beam 4-A
by appropriate boundary and initial conditi
Flexure 1089 593

The relation between the amount of e

Beam 4-B Flexure 1042 593
*V f b0 ˜ z ˜ V p ˜ cot anE u water
The comparison of ultimate and applied
relativeloadhumidity
betweenis called ‘‘
isotherm” if measured
beams with and without stirrups (beams 2 versus with1, increasing
- With : humidity and ‘‘desorption
4 versus 3) shows the possibility to add the stirrups isotherm” in th
case.
force at yielding and the Neglecting
post-cracking their difference
fibres contri- (Xi et al.
b0 web width the following,
bution in the theoretical estimate of ‘‘sorption
the ultimeisotherm”
shear will be
resistance. Namelyreference to both specimens,
for prestressed sorption andthedesorption c
d efficient depth of the longitudinal reinforcement
Byreinforcement
contribution of shear the way, ifis approximately
the hysteresis of the
z lever arm of internal forces similar for beams isotherm
fabricatedwould be taken mix
with concrete into Aaccount, two
f cj compressive strength and B, close to 240relation,
kN whileevaporable water vs relative
the theoretical value is humi
W u ultimate shear stress 139 kN. Concerning be used according to the sign of the varia
reinforced specimens, the ex-
V m mean stress in the total section of concrete relativity
perimental contribution humidity.
of stirrups Theto shape
is equal 166 of the
under the normal design force. isotherm for HPC is influenced by many p
kN and 132 kN for beams in concrete mix A and B
respectively, which is close to the theoretical value
V cd design value of the normal concrete stress in 123 kN. especially those that influence extent and
the centre line chemical
At serviceability limit reactions
state, stirrups and, in onturn, determ
contribution
V p concrete post cracking tensile strength
structure and pore
the control of cracking is significant. Figuressize distribution
14-15 (water-
ratio, ofcement
represent the evolution chemical
displacements composition, SF
measured
f y yield strength of stirrups curing time
by LVDT sensors attached at 45°andversus
method, temperature, mix
the applied
At cross sectional area of the stirrups etc.).
force. After the first In the literature
development of diagonal various
cracks formulatio
s t spacing of shear reinforcement (at an applied forcefound
equal toto describe
350 kN for theprestressed
sorption isotherm
beams and 210 kN concrete (Xi et
for reinforced al. 1994).forHowever,
specimens), the in th
paper the semi-empirical expression pro
same load the cumulated crack openings are signifi-
Norling
cantly less important Mjornell
in presence (1997) is adopted b
of stirrups.

Proceedings of FraMCoS-7, May 23-28, 2010

J = − D ( h , T ) ∇h (1) explicitly accounts for the evolution of hydration
reaction and SF content. This sorption isotherm
The
This proportionality coefficient
confirms a synergy D(h,T)
of fibres and is for
stirrups called
the reads shear tests will be further analyzed thanks to a
These
moisture permeability and it is a nonlinear function
control of crack opening. complete materials characterization including fol-
of the relative humidity h and temperature T (Bažant lowing experimental investigations: ⎡ ⎤
& Najjar 1972). The moisture mass balance requires - The tensile strength ⎢ of UHPFRC
we (established
h, α c , α s ) = Gfor(α each −
will⎥ be
+
c , α s )⎢1batch
1

that the variation in time of the water mass per unit 1

with
10(g α
∞ four point
⎥
− α c )h ⎥
volume of concrete (water content w) be equal to the bending tests on prisms⎢ 7cm*7cm*28cm.
e 1 c
- The concrete post cracking tensile strength will (4)
⎣ ⎦
divergence of the moisture flux J be identified using three ⎡ 10
point ∞ − α )h tests⎤ on
(g α bending
1 c c −inverse
notched prisms K1 (α c , α s ) e
⎢
7cm*7cm*28cm and 1⎥

− ∂ = ∇•J
w
(2) analysis. ⎢
⎣
⎥
⎦
∂ t - The yield strength of stirrups will be determined
thanks to direct tensile tests.
The water content w can be expressed as the sum In orderthe
where first term
to identify the (gel isotherm)of represents
contribution “concrete” the
of the evaporable water we (capillary water, water physically bound (adsorbed) water
itself and of the fibres in the ultimate shear strength and the second
vapor, and adsorbed water) and the non-evaporable as detailed in AFGC provisions, two typescapillary
term (capillary isotherm) represents the of
(chemically bound) measured
water bywnLVDT (Mills 1966, water. This expression
complementary is validhave
investigations only been
for low content
under-
Figure 14. Displacement
Pantazopoulo
Load curves of& Mills beams
prestressed
sensors at
1995).withItandiswithout
reasonable
45°-
stirrups. to of SF. The coefficient G1 represents the amount of
taken:
-waterTwoperbeamsunit volume heldsamein theconfiguration
gel pores at of 100%
assume that the evaporable water is a function of relative
beamshumidity,
with the
3 (similar and cross-section
it can be expressed (Norling
and passive
relative humidity, h, degree of hydration, αc, and Mjornell 1997) asbut without steel fibres or with
reinforcement
degree of silica fume reaction, αs, i.e. we=we(h,αc,αs) organic fibres) have been manufactured. These
= age-dependent sorption/desorption isotherm beams will cbe tested swith the same loading setup
(Norling Mjonell 1997). Under this assumption and G1 (as
α the
c , α other
s vg α c + k αin sorder to experimentally (5)
) = k specimens
c vg s
by substituting Equation 1 into Equation 2 one identify the “concrete term” in the ultimate shear
obtains strength.
-whereIn kboth vg and ksvg are material
(which parameters.
have not From been the
c
extremities
∂w ∂h maximum amount
of theof beams,
water per unit volume
will be thatcut can
e + ∇ • ( D ∇h) = ∂we ∂w damaged) prisms
−
h α&c + e α&s + w&n (3) fill horizontally,
all pores (both capillary
vertically andpores andtogel
at 45° pores), one
determine
∂h ∂t ∂α ∂α canthecalculate K1 as one ofobtains
c s real “coefficient orientation” K, thus the
“real” contribution of fibres.
where ∂we/∂h is the slope of the sorption/desorption ⎡
⎢
⎛
10⎜ g α c∞ − α c ⎞⎟h ⎤⎥
isotherm (also called moisture capacity). The ACKNOWLEDGMENT
w − α s+ α s G
c
0.188
s
0.22 − e⎢1 −
⎝ ⎠1
⎥

governing equation (Equation 3) must be completed ⎦ (6)

0 1
Figure 15. Displacement measured by LVDT sensors fixed at ⎢ ⎥
K (α c α s ) = ⎣
by appropriate
45°- Load curves of reinforced beams with and without stir-
boundary and initial conditions. ,

⎜ ghas
c α c ⎟⎠h −(DIR Méditer-
⎛ ⎞
α −been
∞
1
rups. This experimental program supervised by a
The relation between the amount of evaporable
10

committee chaired by J.e Resplendino

⎝ 1
1

water and relative humidity is called ‘‘adsorption ranée), also chairman of the French mirror group of
isotherm”
4 CONCLUSIONSif measuredAND with increasing relativity
FURTHER fib The
TG8.6.material parameters
Eiffage kcvg and
(T. Thibaux) vg and (L.
and kLafarge
s
g1 can
humidity and ‘‘desorption isotherm” in the opposite
INVESTIGATIONS be calibrated
Jacques and G. byMolines)
fitting experimental
are gratefully dataacknowl-
relevant to
case. Neglecting their difference (Xi et al. 1994), in free (evaporable)
edged water and
for their sponsoring content in concrete
contribution in the at
the Shear
following, tests ‘‘sorption
have been isotherm”
realized will
in abe Four-Point
used with various ages (Di Luzio & Cusatis 2009b).
specimen preparation.
reference
Bending to both sorption
configuration and
on desorption
nine conditions.
prestressed or rein- The authors are pleased to thank M. Estivin, F.-X.
By shear
the way,
forced UHPFRC if the hysteresis of the moisture
I-shaped beams with two types of Barin, C. Bazin from LCPC Structures Laboratory,
2.2 S.Temperature evolution
isotherm would be taken into account, two different
reinforcement: fibres and combination of
stirrups and fibres.
and Grunewald & R. Weyns from Hurks Beton,
relation,
The results of the water
evaporable vs relative
experimental humidity,
campaign help must
draw Note that, at early age, since the chemical reactions
for their help in the experimental realizations.
be used according
following conclusions: to the sign of the variation of the associated with cement hydration and SF reaction
relativity
- The humidity.
presence of The stirrupsshape of the the
has increased sorption
shear are exothermic, the temperature field is not uniform
isotherm for HPC
capacity is influenced
of prestressed andby many parameters,
reinforced beams. for non-adiabatic systems even if the environmental
especially
- The those thatnegative
possibly influenceeffectextent
of and rate of the
combination of temperature is constant. Heat conduction can be
chemical fibresreactions
and passive and,shearin reinforcement
turn, determine due topore
the described in concrete, at least for temperature not
structure andblockage
fibre pore size has distribution (water-to-cement
been avoided thanks to exceeding 100°C (Bažant & Kaplan 1996), by
ratio, cement chemical composition, SF content,
reinforcement arrangement. Fourier’s law, which reads
curing
- Fortime theoretical
and method,evaluation
temperature, mix additives,
of ultimate shear
etc.). In the literature various formulations can be
strength, it has been demonstrated as conserva- q = − λ ∇T (7)
found to tivedescribe
to add the thestirrups
sorption isotherm
force of and
at yielding normal
the
concrete (Xi et al. 1994). However, in the present
post-cracking fibres contribution.
where q is the heat flux, T is the absolute
paper the semi-empirical expression proposed by
- Before yielding, passive shear reinforcements
temperature, and λ is the heat conductivity; in this
NorlingcanMjornell (1997) is adopted because it
help to control the crack opening.

Proceedings of FraMCoS-7, May 23-28, 2010


REFERENCES
AFGC-Sétra. 2002. “Ultra High Performance Fibre-Reinforced
Concretes”. Interim Recommendations, Bagneux: SETRA.
Casanova P., 1995. “Bétons renforcés de fibres métalliques :
du matériau à la structure”, Etudes et Recherches des LPC,
OA20, LCPC.
Cucchiara C., Priolo S., 2008. “Experimental investigation on
high-strength fibre-reinforced concrete beams subjected to
bending and shear”, Studies and Researches, Politecnico di
Milano, 28, pp. 11-38.
Khuntia, M., Stojadinovic, B., and Goel, S. C. 1999. “Shear
strength of normal and high-strength fiber reinforced con-
crete beams without stirrups”, ACI Structural Journal,
96(2), pp. 282-289.
Li, V. C., Ward, R., and Hamza, A. M. 1992. “Steel and syn
thetic fibers as shear reinforcement”, ACI Materials Jour-
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Mansur, M. A., Ong, K. C. G., and Paramsivam, P. 1986.
“Shear strength of fibrous concrete beams without stir-
rups”, Journal of Structural Engineering, ASCE, 112(9),
pp. 2066-2079.
J = − D ( h , T ) ∇h
The proportionality coefficient D(h,T)
Narayanan, R., and Darwish, I. Y. permeability
moisture S. 1987. “Use of and it is a nonlinea
steel fibers
of theACIrelative
as shear reinforcement”, humidity
Structural h andpp.temperature
Journal, 84(3),
216-227. & Najjar 1972). The moisture mass balanc
that the variation in time of the water mas
Noghabai, K. 2000. “Beams of fibrous concrete in shear and
volumepp. of concrete (water content w) be eq
bending: experiment and model”, Journal of Structural En-
gineering, ASCE, 126(2), 243-251.
divergence
Sato Y., Pansuk W., Den of the moisture
Uijl J.A., Walraven J.C. 2008. flux
Shear J
Capacity of high performance fiber reinforced concrete I-
∂w = ∇ • J
beams, 8th International Symposium on Utilization of
High-Strength and −High-Performance Concrete, pp. 369-
376 ∂t
Swamy R.N., Jones R., Chiam A.T.P. 1993. Influence of steel
The water content can be expressed a
beams, ACI Structural Journal, vol 90, n°1, pp.w
fibers on the shear resistance of lightweight concrete I-
103-114.
of the evaporable water (capillary wa
Toutlemonde F., Renaud J.-C., Lauvin L., Behloul M.,wSimon
e
vapor, and adsorbed water) and the non-e
A., Vildaers. 2007. “Local compression tests and analysis
(chemically bound) water wn (Mil
validating innovative design of UHPFRC anchor blocks for
Pantazopoulo & Mills 1995). It is reas
post-tensioning tendons”, 6th int. conf. On Fracture Me-
chanics of Concrete and Concrete Structures, pp. 1193-
1201. assume that the evaporable water is a fu
relative humidity, h, degree of hydration
degree of silica fume reaction, αs, i.e. we=w
= age-dependent sorption/desorption
(Norling Mjonell 1997). Under this assum
by substituting Equation 1 into Equati
obtains
∂w ∂h
− e + ∇ • ( D ∇h) = ∂we ∂w
α&c + e α&s + w
∂h ∂t h ∂α ∂α
c s
where ∂we/∂h is the slope of the sorption/
isotherm (also called moisture capac
governing equation (Equation 3) must be
by appropriate boundary and initial conditi
The relation between the amount of e
water and relative humidity is called ‘‘
isotherm” if measured with increasing
humidity and ‘‘desorption isotherm” in th
case. Neglecting their difference (Xi et al.
the following, ‘‘sorption isotherm” will be
reference to both sorption and desorption c
By the way, if the hysteresis of the
isotherm would be taken into account, two
relation, evaporable water vs relative humi
be used according to the sign of the varia
relativity humidity. The shape of the
isotherm for HPC is influenced by many p
especially those that influence extent and
chemical reactions and, in turn, determ
structure and pore size distribution (water-
ratio, cement chemical composition, SF
curing time and method, temperature, mix
etc.). In the literature various formulatio
found to describe the sorption isotherm
concrete (Xi et al. 1994). However, in th
paper the semi-empirical expression pro
Norling Mjornell (1997) is adopted b
Proceedings of FraMCoS-7, May 23-28, 2010