Comparative Study of High-Performance Concrete Characteristics and Loading Test of Pretensioned Experimental Beams

Abstract

High-performance concrete (HPC) is subjected to wide attention in current research. Many research tasks are focused on laboratory testing of concrete mechanical properties with specific raw materials, where a mixture is prepared in a relatively small amount in ideal conditions. The wider utilization of HPC is connected, among other things, with its utilization in the construction industry. The paper presents two variants of HPC which were developed by modification of ordinary concrete used by a precast company for pretensioned bridge beams. The presented variants were produced in industrial conditions using common raw materials. Testing and comparison of basic mechanical properties are complemented with specialized tests of the resistance to chloride penetration. Tentative expenses for normal strength concrete (NSC) and HPC are compared. The research program was accomplished with a loading test of model experimental pretensioned beams with a length of 7 m made of ordinarily used concrete and one variant of HPC. The aim of the loading test was to determine the load–deformation diagrams and verify the design code load capacity calculation method. Overall, the article summarizes the possible benefits of using HPC compared to conventional concrete.

Influence of Fiber Addition on the Properties of High-Performance Concrete

“…This can be ensured by low water-cement and water-binder ratios. Mateckova et al [8] report that high-performance concrete with its dense structure presents higher resistance to chemical penetration in comparison to ordinary concrete. The character of used materials in HPC can improve the acid attack by FRC through better integrity of the binder matrix to fiber inclusion.…”

Study of the Residual Bond Strength between Corroded Steel Bars and Concrete—A Comparison with the Recommendations of Fib Model Code 2010

“…As a result, the bond loss effect due to the environmental action prevents the development of full bearing capacity of reinforced concrete elements. The importance and influence of corrosion phenomenon on the load-bearing capacity of RC elements has been indicated by many researchers [11][12][13][14][15]. The experimental results have demonstrated the detrimental consequences of corrosion of steel reinforcement on the service life of RC elements, leading to reduction of their load-bearing capacity and, mainly, to limit their rotational capacity, which leads to brittle failure, when compared to noncorroded conditions [11][12][13][14][15].…”

“…The importance and influence of corrosion phenomenon on the load-bearing capacity of RC elements has been indicated by many researchers [11][12][13][14][15]. The experimental results have demonstrated the detrimental consequences of corrosion of steel reinforcement on the service life of RC elements, leading to reduction of their load-bearing capacity and, mainly, to limit their rotational capacity, which leads to brittle failure, when compared to noncorroded conditions [11][12][13][14][15]. [2] indicates that the cost of corrosion is estimated globally to be USD 2.5 trillion proximately 3.4 percent of the global gross domestic product (GDP).…”

“…The importance and influence of corrosion pheno on the load-bearing capacity of RC elements has been indicated by many research 15]. The experimental results have demonstrated the detrimental consequences o sion of steel reinforcement on the service life of RC elements, leading to reduction load-bearing capacity and, mainly, to limit their rotational capacity, which leads to failure, when compared to noncorroded conditions [11][12][13][14][15]. Taking into account that bond mechanism is one of the main criteria in desig members, it is obvious that the estimation of the residual bond strength due to co is considered necessary in order to determine the durability of RC elements, both modern designed structures and in existing aging ones.…”

Matrix Optimization of Ultra High Performance Concrete for Improving Strength and Durability

“…The NF P18-710 standard [14] defines UHPFRC as a concrete with high compressive strength and high post-cracking tensile strength, giving it a ductile behavior in tension, whose lack of brittleness makes it possible to design and produce structures and structural members without using reinforced steel. While UHPC requires a very careful and tight mixing design, it can be obtained by modifying conventional concrete [15]. In this sense, the design of UHPC can be optimized through the use of artificial neural networks applied to an extensive experimental database [16,17].…”