Transport properties of water and glycol in an ultra high performance fiber reinforced concrete (UHPFRC) under high tensile deformation

Abstract

Ultra High Performance Fiber Reinforced Concretes (UHPFRC) present outstanding mechanical properties and a very low permeability. Those characteristics make them very attractive for the rehabilitation of existing structures and the conception of new structures. To define the range of admissible tensile deformation in those materials, the influence of imposed tensile deformation and subsequent cracking on permeability and absorption was studied. The transport properties of water and glycol were assessed in order to estimate the effect of the interaction of water with a specific UHPFRC. The experimental results demonstrate that permeability and absorption increase steadily until a residual tensile deformation of 0.13% is reached in the material, then water seeping rises distinctly. During experiments, the interaction of water with the UHPFRC decreases by 1 to 3 orders of magnitude the permeability and reduces absorption by approximately 50 to 85%. Test results reveal the high capability of the material to seal cracks and improve its water-tightness with time.

Capillary Transport of Water in Cracked and Non-cracked UHPFRC Specimens

“…Besides contributing to structural capacity, the tensile performance of UHPFRC is essential for coping with the autogenous deformations and for ensuring water-tightness even when subjected to critical tensile deformations. While a matrix cracking stress of 7 -9 MPa ensures that the UHPFRC layers remain uncracked under restrained autogenous deformations, the hardening branch up to the (post-cracking) tensile strength of 8 -16 MPa and strains of 0.2% -0.4% is crucial for ensuring the low permeability even when the UHPFRC is subjected to significant mechanical actions (Charron et al 2007(Charron et al , 2008. This tensile response mostly depends on the fibre-to-matrix bond mechanics Naaman 2012, 2013) and the fibre distribution/orientation (Abrishambaf et al 2017).…”

Dynamic compression behavior of ultra-high performance cement based composites

“…UHPCC possess ultra-high strength, low shrinkage and excellent durability [2][3][4], which has great prospects in hydraulic structures, offshore structures, explosion and penetration resistant structures [5][6][7][8]. However, the expensive raw materials such as high content of silica fume and small-sized steel fiber, the rigorous curing regimes (200 C autoclave curing or 90 C heating curing) result in high cost, low production efficiency and high energy consumption [9,10] limit its commercial development and application in practical engineering.…”

Influence of Applied Loads on the Permeability Behavior of Ultra High Performance Concrete with Steel Fibers

“…Many scholars have studied the mechanical and durability properties of reactive powder concretes or UHPC with fibers based on the use of various types of UHPC, over more than 10 years (Moranville 1998;Roux 1996;Toutlemonde et al 2010). Kang and Charron studied the tensile stress of UHPC with fibers, and the development of crack was also determined (Charron et al 2008;Kang et al 2010); Hassan investigated the compressive stress of UHPC with fibers (Hassan et al 2012); Wang determined the durability of UHPC with fibers after progressive aging, and Rabehi conducted the durability of UHPC with fibers (Rabehi et al 2016;. The results of previous researches conclude that the UHPC with fibers possesses high tensile and compressive strength, as well as has an excellent ductility under applied loads conditions.…”