The prediction and understanding of the cracking behavior in reinforced concrete has been widely investigated in the past over 40 years. It is of relevance the study of this phenomenon also in structural members where the total reinforcement consists of a proper combination of traditional rebars and fibers. In fact, in such fibrous R/C elements, the adoption of tougher materials in tension (fiber reinforced concrete-FRC) determines, in general, a more distributed crack pattern characterized by narrower cracks. It is worth noticing that the expected smaller crack widths in addition to a low concrete porosity (which strictly depends on the water/cement ratio) is of paramount importance for enhancing structural durability. The present paper describes results from a collaborative experimental program currently ongoing at the University of Brescia and at the University of Toronto, aimed at studying crack formation and development in FRC structures. A set of tensile tests were carried out on tensile members by varying the concrete strength, the reinforcement ratio and the fiber content.
Durability and Crack control in FRC RC elements: an experimental study
MINELLI, Fausto;TIBERTI, Giuseppe;PLIZZARI, Giovanni
2011-01-01
Abstract
The prediction and understanding of the cracking behavior in reinforced concrete has been widely investigated in the past over 40 years. It is of relevance the study of this phenomenon also in structural members where the total reinforcement consists of a proper combination of traditional rebars and fibers. In fact, in such fibrous R/C elements, the adoption of tougher materials in tension (fiber reinforced concrete-FRC) determines, in general, a more distributed crack pattern characterized by narrower cracks. It is worth noticing that the expected smaller crack widths in addition to a low concrete porosity (which strictly depends on the water/cement ratio) is of paramount importance for enhancing structural durability. The present paper describes results from a collaborative experimental program currently ongoing at the University of Brescia and at the University of Toronto, aimed at studying crack formation and development in FRC structures. A set of tensile tests were carried out on tensile members by varying the concrete strength, the reinforcement ratio and the fiber content.I documenti in IRIS sono protetti da copyright e tutti i diritti sono riservati, salvo diversa indicazione.
