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- Experimental investigation on the variability of the main mechanical properties of concrete produced with coarse recycled concrete aggregatesPublication . Pacheco, João; De Brito, Jorge; Chastre, Carlos; Evangelista, LuisResearch on the variability of the properties of recycled aggregate concrete is lacking and is necessary for the development of reliability analyses and code calibration procedures. This paper presents an experimental programme on the within-batch variability of the compressive strength, Young's modulus, and splitting tensile strength of several recycled and natural aggregate concrete mixes. The influence of the recycled concrete aggregates on the mechanical properties and variability of concrete is analysed and discussed and benchmarks with standard predictions for the variability of natural aggregate concrete are made. It was found that full recycled aggregate concrete incorporation did not increase the variability of any of the properties tested, but intermediate ratios of recycled aggregate incorporation did. The properties of high-strength concrete mixes were more variable than that of all other mixes, irrespective of recycled aggregate incorporation. All properties of all compositions were suitably modelled by normal distributions. The coarse recycled aggregates were sourced from concrete waste.
- In-plane displacement and strain image analysisPublication . Almeida, Graça; Melicio, Fernando; Biscaia, Hugo; Chastre, Carlos; Fonseca, José ManuelMeasurements in civil engineering load tests usually require considerable time and complex procedures. Therefore, measurements are usually constrained by the number of sensors resulting in a restricted monitored area. Image processing analysis is an alternative way that enables the measurement of the complete area of interest with a simple and effective setup. In this article photo sequences taken during load displacement tests were captured by a digital camera and processed with image correlation algorithms. Three different image processing algorithms were used with real images taken from tests using specimens of PVC and Plexiglas. The data obtained from the image processing algorithms were also compared with the data from physical sensors. A complete displacement and strain map were obtained. Results show that the accuracy of the measurements obtained by photogrammetry is equivalent to that from the physical sensors but with much less equipment and fewer setup requirements. © 2015Computer-Aided Civil and Infrastructure Engineering.
- Statistical analysis of Portuguese ready-mixed concrete productionPublication . Pacheco, João; De Brito, Jorge; Chastre, Carlos; Evangelista, LuisThis paper evaluates and compares the statistics of compressive strength data from three Portuguese ready-mixed concrete plants. A hierarchical model showed that different groups of concrete strength records are not statistically equivalent, even if they were produced in the same plant and using the same concrete composition. This finding is related to autocorrelation. For the same specified strength class, compositions produced less often result in higher average compressive strength and variability. The statistics of one of the plants were quite different from those of the others, even though the concrete of this plant also complied with the specifications. It was found that the average compressive strength of a mix may be quite dependent on the plant that produced it, even if the compressive strength complies with quality control specifications. Conformity with the target slump and strength class was checked following the conformity criteria of EN 206-1 for continuous production. Nonconformity with slump is more frequent than failure to comply with the strength class. A bias factor for reliability analyses was proposed.
- Eurocode shear design of coarse recycled aggregate concrete: reliability analysis and partial factor calibrationPublication . Pacheco, João; Brito, Jorge de; Chastre, Carlos; Evangelista, LuisThis paper contributes to the definition of design clauses for coarse recycled aggregate concrete. One of the main reasons for scepticism towards recycled aggregate concrete is the perceived notion that the heterogeneity of recycled aggregates may increase the uncertainty of the behaviour of concrete. Therefore, the paper uses structural reliability concepts to propose partial factors for recycled aggregate concrete's design for shear failure. The paper builds upon a previous publication by the authors, in which the model uncertainty of recycled aggregate concrete elements designed for shear, with and without shear reinforcement, was compared with that of natural aggregate concrete elements. In that paper, the statistics of the model uncertainty for recycled aggregate concrete shear design were indeed found to be less favourable than those of natural aggregate concrete. Therefore, a partial factor for recycled aggregate concrete design is needed to ensure safety. This paper presents partial factors calibrated with explicit reliability analyses for different cases of design concerning beams (in the case of shear design of elements with shear reinforcement) and slabs (for the design of elements without shear reinforcement). For full incorporation of coarse recycled concrete aggregates and the design of elements without shear reinforcement, the calibrated partial factor reduces the design value of shear resistance by 10% (design with EN1992) or 15% (design with prEN1992) in comparison to natural aggregate concrete's design. For the shear design of elements with shear reinforcement, the partial factor decreases resistance by 5% but a sensitivity analysis showed that the reduction might be, under pessimistic expectations, of up to 20%.
- Development of an injectable grout for concrete repair and strengtheningPublication . Brás, Ana; Gião, Rita; Lucio, Valter; Chastre, CarlosThis paper deals with the coupled effect of temperature and silica fume addition on rheological, mechanical behaviour and porosity of grouts based on CEMI 42.5R, proportioned with a polycarboxylate-based high range water reducer. Preliminary tests were conducted to focus on the grout best able to fill a fibrous network since the goal of this study was to develop an optimized grout able to be injected in a mat of steel fibers for concrete strengthening. The grout composition was developed based on criteria for fresh state and hardened state properties. For a CEMI 42.5R based grout different high range water reducer dosages (0%, 0.2%, 0.4%, 0.5%, 0.7%) and silica fume (SF) dosages (0%, 2%, 4%) were tested (as replacement of cement by mass). Rheological measurements were used to investigate the effect of polycarboxylates (PCEs) and SF dosage on grout properties, particularly its workability loss, as the mix was to be injected in a matrix of steel fibers for concrete jacketing. The workability behaviour was characterized by the rheological parameters yield stress and plastic viscosity (for different grout temperatures and resting times), as well as the procedures of mini slump cone and funnel flow time. Then, further development focused only on the best grout compositions. The cement substitution by 2% of SF exhibited the best overall behaviour and was considered as the most promising compared to the others compositions tested. Concerning the fresh state analysis, a significant workability loss was detected if grout temperature increased above 35 degrees C. Below this temperature the grout presented a self-levelling behaviour and a life time equal to 45 min. In the hardened state, silica fumes increased not only the grout's porosity but also the grout's compressive strength at later ages, since the pozzolanic contribution to the compressive strength does not occur until 28 d and beyond. (C) 2012 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.
- Scatter of constitutive models of the mechanical properties of concrete: comparison of major international codesPublication . Pacheco, João; De Brito, Jorge; Chastre, Carlos; Evangelista, LuisAn investigation on the scatter of code-type constitutive models that relate compressive strength (f(c)) with tensile strength (f(ct)) and Young's modulus (E-c) of standard concrete specimens is presented. The influence of the mix design on the accuracy of the f(c) vs. f(ct) and f(c) vs. E-c relationships is discussed, with emphasis on the lithological type and morphology of the coarse aggregates. The uncertainty of the constitutive models is analysed in probabilistic terms and random variables that model the uncertainty of the f(c) vs. f(ct) and f(c) vs. E-c relationships are proposed for reliability analyses of serviceability limit states. The suitability of the models proposed is assessed through preliminary conservative estimates of their design values.
- Bond of recycled coarse aggregate concrete: model uncertainty and reliability-based calibration of design equationsPublication . Pacheco, João; Brito, Jorge de; Chastre, Carlos; Evangelista, LuisThis paper concerns the design of lap splice lengths for ribbed steel reinforcement bars embedded in concrete produced with coarse recycled concrete aggregates. Recycled aggregates are weaker and typically lead to concrete with lower tensile strength. Both aspects change the model uncertainty of bond strength formulae and a major topic of the paper is the influence of recycled aggregates on the model uncertainty of the bond strength model of fib Bulletin 72. A stochastic model for this model uncertainty is developed from a meta-analysis. The model uncertainty, estimated from analogue specimens made with either natural aggregate concrete or recycled aggregate concrete, is compared and the incorporation of recycled aggregates was indeed found to have a detrimental influence on the model uncertainty. A partial factor for lap splice length design is calibrated through reliability analyses so that the probability of failure of the bond length design of recycled aggregate concrete is equivalent to that of natural aggregate concrete. Two design equations were studied: that of the fib Bulletin 72 and that of the D6 draft of the second generation of Eurocode 2.
- Characterisation of unidirectional fibre reinforced grout as a strengthening material for RC structuresPublication . Gião, Rita; Lucio, Valter; Chastre, CarlosThe main goal of the present research work is to characterise a unidirectional fibre reinforced grout (UFRG), developed as an alternative material to strengthen RC structures using small thickness jacketing. A high performance cementitious grout reinforced with continuous and unidirectional non-woven steel fibre mat has been developed for this purpose. It was expected that the optimization of the percentage and alignment of the steel fibres would yield a more efficient fibre grout. In fact, the composite should attain higher tensile strength with continuous fibres since the fibre embedment length is enough to prevent fibre pull-out. An experimental programme was carried out to characterise the UFRG’s mechanical properties. Compressive tests were conducted on small thickness tubular specimens to enable the determination of the compressive strength and the static modulus of elasticity. The tensile strength was obtained from splitting tests performed on cubic specimens (DIN 1048-5). Semi-empirical equations, based on the experimental results, are proposed to estimate UFRG’s modulus of elasticity, compressive strength and tensile strength. Two strengthening solutions for RC structures using small thickness CFRP jacketing are presented.
- Gravity load effects on the behaviour of reinforced concrete beam critical zones subjected to cyclic loadsPublication . Gião, Rita; Lucio, Valter; Chastre, CarlosThe aim of the present study was to proceed to a numerical analysis of the gravity load effects on the behaviour of reinforced concrete beam critical zones when subjected to cyclic loads. A parametric study to assess the influence of different levels of gravity load on RC beam critical zones subjected to cyclic loading was carried out. For this purpose, assuming the level of gravity load as a variable parameter, a nonlinear numerical model of a beam-column connection, previously calibrated with experimental data, was used. In order to evaluate the gravity load effects in the global response, a numerical study of a RC frame system is also presented. The numerical results are analysed in terms of global hysteretic response, accumulated energy dissipation and equivalent viscous damping ratio. In this numerical study, it was observed that the hysteretic response depends on the load path. In the presence of higher gravity load levels, the structure hysteretic behaviour exhibits higher damage levels, associated to a failure mechanism corresponding to the formation of four span plastic hinges. Thus, the proper test procedure should involve the imposition of a reverse cyclic displacement history starting each cycle from the gravity load effects.
- Probabilistic conversion of the compressive strength of cubes to cylinders of natural and recycled aggregate concrete specimensPublication . Pacheco, João; De Brito, Jorge; Chastre, Carlos; Evangelista, LuisThis paper investigates the effect of recycled coarse aggregate incorporation on the relationship between 150 mm cubic and F 150 mm cylindrical compressive strength (the reference strength of standards) by comparing data from recycled and natural aggregate concrete compositions in which both cubes and cylinders were tested. A conversion factor from cubic to cylindrical strength is proposed in two versions: A deterministic and a probabilistic one. Such factor has not been studied before and researchers have been converting cubic data as if natural aggregate concrete were tested. The probabilistic factor is intended for reliability analyses on the structural behaviour of recycled aggregate concrete using data from laboratory cube tests. It was found that the incorporation of recycled coarse aggregates sourced from concrete waste significantly decreases the expected value of the factor but the factor’s scatter is relatively unaffected.