Design and Preparation of High Elastic Modulus Self-compacting Concrete for Pre-stressed Mass Concrete Structures

Requirements of self-compacting concrete （SCC） applied in pre-stressed mass concrete structures include high fluidity, high elastic modulus, low adiabatic temperature rise and low drying shrinkage, which cannot be satisfied by ordinary SCC. In this study, in order to solve the problem, a few principles of SCC design were proposed and the effects of binder amount, fly ash （FA） substitution, aggregate content and gradation on the workability, temperature rise, drying shrinkage and elastic modulus of SCC were investigated. The results and analysis indicate that the primary factor influencing the fluidity was paste content, and the main methods improving the elastic modulusof SCC were a lower sand ratio and an optimized coarse aggregate gradation. Lower adiabatic temperature rise and drying shrinkage were beneficial for decreasing the cement content. Further, based on the optimization of mixture, a C50 grade SCC （with binder amount of only 480 kg/ m3, fly ash substitution of 40%, sand ratio of 51% and proper coarse aggregate gradation （Vs.~0 mm： V10-16 ram： V16.20 mm= 30%： 30%：40%）） with superior workability was successfully prepared. The temperature rise and drying shrinkage of the prepared SCC were significantly reduced, and the elastic modulus reached 37.6 GPa at 28 d.

A Statistical Analysis of the Modulus of Elasticity and Compressive Strength of Concrete C45/55 for Pre-stressed Precast Beams

Random behavior of concrete C45/55 XF2 used for prefabricated pre-stressed bridge beams is described on the basis of evaluating a vast set of measurements. A detailed statistical analysis is carried out on 133 test results of cylinders 150 ~ 300 mm in size. The tests have been running in laboratories of the Klokner Institute. A single worker took all specimens throughout the period, and the subsequent measurements of the static modulus of elasticity and the compressive strength of the concrete were performed. The measurements were made at the age of 28 days after specimens casting, and only one testing machine with the same capping method was used. Suitable theoretical models of division are determined on the basis of tests in good congruence, with the use of Z2 and the Bernstein criterion. A set of concrete compressive strength （carried out on 133 test results of cylinders 150 ~ 300 mm after test of static modulus of elasticity） shows relatively high skewness in this specific case. This cause that limited beta distribution is better than generally recommended theoretical distribution for strength the normal or lognormal. The modulus of elasticity is not significantly affected due to skewness because the design value is based on mean value.

Self-adjustment of Carrying Capacity of Concrete Embedded with CFRC

By heating up the embedded carbon fiber reinforced cement based material （CFRC）, the carrying capacity and deformation of concrete member could be adjusted. The relationship between temperature difference and expansion strain of CFRC was demonstrated, and the temperature-deformation-load effect of concrete embedded with CFRC was studied. Heating the CFRC up to different temperatures resulted in different degree of inner pre-stress in concrete. Thus, the load capacity of concrete could be regulated owing to counteracting the pre-stress.

Experimental study on seismic behavior of circular RC columns strengthened with pre-stressed FRP strips

Bonding fiber reinforced polymer （FRP） has been commonly used to improve the seismic behavior of circular reinforced concrete （RC） columns in engineering practice. However, FRP jackets have a significant stress hysteresis effect in this strengthening method, and pre-tensioning the FRP can overcome this problem. This paper presents test results of 25 circular RC columns strengthened with pre-stressed FRP strips under low cyclic loading. The pre-stressing of the FRP strips, types of FRP strips and longitudinal reinforcement, axial load ratio, pre-damage degree and surface treatments of the specimens are considered as the primary factors in the tests. According to the failure modes and hysteresis curves of the specimens, these factors are analyzed to investigate their effect on bearing capacity, ductility, hysteretic behavior, energy dissipation capacity and other important seismic behaviors. The results show that the initial lateral confined stress provided by pre-stressed FRP strips can effectively inhibit the emergence and development of diagonal shear cracks, and change the failure modes of specimens from brittle shear failure to bending or bending-shear failure with better ductility. As a result, the bearing capacity, ductility, energy dissipation capacity and deformation capacity of the strengthened specimens are all significantly improved.

Effect of concrete creep on pre-camber of continuous rigid-frame bridge

The effect of concrete creep on the pre-camber of a long-span pre-stressed concrete continuous rigid-frame bridge constructed by cantilever casting method was investigated.The difference of creep coefficients calculated with two Chinese codes was discussed.Based on the calculations,the pre-camber of a pre-stressed concrete continuous rigid-frame box bridge was computed for construction control purpose.The results show that the short-term creep coefficient and long-term creep coefficient calculated with the CC-1985 are larger than those calculated with the CC-2004,while the medium-term creep coefficient calculated with the CC-1985 is smaller than that calculated with the CC-2004.The difference of creep deformation calculated with these two codes is small,and the influences of concrete creep on the pre-camber for most of the segments are negligible.The deflections and stresses of the box girder measured during the construction stages agree very well with the predictions.

Experimental study on retarding mortar and its application in prestressed concrete

Based on a large number of orthogonal tests and theoretical analyses, the retarding mortar which meets the requirements of retard-bonded prestressed concrete was prepared. Initial setting time of the retarding mortar may vary from several hours to 15 d at 5 ℃-35 ℃ due to quantities and average curing temperature. And its 28 d compressive strength is above 35 MPa. Thus the influence of quantities on setting time and 28 d compressive strength, and the relationship between setting time and average curing temperature were investigated. The optimum quantities were obtained by studying the interaction of admixtures, and the retarding mechanism was discussed. Based on 52 retard-bonded prestressed strands by manual work from 24 retard-bonded prestressed concrete T-beams, static friction drag, change factor κ and friction factor μ were obtained from the test when retard-bonded prestressed strands were tensioned. Application of the retarding mortar will be vast in practical concrete projects.

Stress Analysis of New Type Pre-Stressed Anchor Bearing Plate Combining Stamping with Welding Forming and Its Anchorage Zone

An anchor bearing plate transfers the anchoring force from anchor plate to the concrete and the pre-stress is formed in the concrete structure. Currently, the main type of anchor bearing plate is cast iron. It is brittle during transportation and tension process. This paper presents a new type of anchor bearing plate combined stamping with welding forming. The structure of the new type anchor bearing plate is introduced. The stress states of the anchor bearing plate and anchorage zone under work are studied. Various specifications of anchor bearing plate are studied by ANSYS finite element analysis software following the AASHTO specification. The analysis results are compared with the results of the same type of OVM round-shaped anchor plate. The study results show that the new pre-stressed anchor plates combined stamping with welding forming are feasible and more sturdy which can meet the engineering demand.

Experimental and parametrical investigation of pre-stressed ultrahigh-performance fiberreinforced concrete railway sleepers

In this study,ultrahigh-performance fiber-reinforced concrete(UHPFRC)used in a type B70 concrete sleeper is investigated experimentally and parametrically.The main parameters investigated are the steel fiber volume fractions(0%,0.5%,1%,and 1.5%).Under European standards,35 UHPFRC sleepers are subjected to static bending tests at the center and rail seat sections,and the screw on the fastening system is pulled out.The first cracking load,failure load,failure mode,crack propagation,load–deflection curve,load–crack width,and failure load from these tests are measured and compared with those of a control sleeper manufactured using normal concrete C50.The accuracy of the parametric study is verified experimentally.Subsequently,the results of the study are applied to UHPFRC sleepers with different concrete volumes to investigate the effects of the properties of UHPFRC on their performance.Experimental and parametric study results show that the behavior of UHPFRC sleepers improves significantly when the amount of steel fiber in the mix is increased.Sleepers manufactured using UHPFRC with a steel fiber volume fraction of 1%and a concrete volume less than 25%that of standard sleeper B70 can be used under the same loads and requirements,which contributes positively to the cost and surrounding environment.

Inspection and Assessment of Highway Bridges in Jordan along the Desert Highway: A Case Study

Bridges, especially highway bridges, are a key factor in nations’ development and flourish. Thus, great care should be taken to maintain and inspect their safety and serviceability. An immediate repair will prevent the loss of life and vehicles damage while crossing underpass and overpassing the heavy deteriorated bridges. Reinforced or pre-stressed concrete bridge girders become structurally deficient because of severed reasons including, increasing in the load requirements, corrosion of pre-stressing strands or reinforcement bars and collision of over-height trucks with the bulb of the concrete girders. The purpose of this case study is to evaluate and assess the damages of the highway bridges in Jordan. Since there is no mandatory program in Jordan for inspection of bridges and evaluating their conditions, this paper presents an inspection and assessment of two highway bridges along the desert highway which is the essential nerve connecting Jordan cities, and it also serves as an international road between many middle east countries. These two Bridges have never been investigated or checked since their construction in the late 1980s. The study results showed that the main factor causing the deterioration of these bridges is the collision of the over-height trucks with their elements. Relying on the collected data, solutions and repair methods were introduced to rehabilitate these bridges and assure their structural safety.