RESUMO
The challenges of handling user-hostile alkaline solutions in the conventional alkali-activated binders (AAB) have initiated the development of "just add water" or one-part solid-based AAB systems. This paper aims to present a preliminary investigation on the development of one-part ambient-cured alkali-activated binders produced by synthesising high-calcium fly ash (HCFA) and ground granulated blast furnace slag (GGBS) using sodium metasilicate anhydrous. Three test series were conducted in this study to investigate the effects of GGBS/binder, activator/binder and water/binder ratios on the fresh and hardened properties of the one-part synthesis AAB system. It was found that the SiO2/Al2O3 molar ratio plays an important role in the attainment of compressive strength and limits the amounts of solid activators effective in contributing to the alkali-activation reaction process. The optimum SiO2/Al2O3 molar ratio was found between 3.20 and 3.30. The test results revealed that the optimum proportion between HCFA and GGBS was discovered at a GGBS/binder ratio of 0.50. The optimum activator/binder ratio was between 0.08 and 0.12, and it is recommended that the water/binder ratio should not exceed 0.50. This study demonstrated the potential of the one-part synthesis method in the production of alkali-activated binder for practical structural applications.
RESUMO
The concrete-filled double skin steel tube (CFDST) is a more viable option compared to a concrete-filled steel tube (CFST) due to consisting a hollow section, while degradation is enhanced simply by using carbon fiber-reinforced polymer (CFRP). Hence, the stabilization of a concrete's ductile strength needs high- performance fiber-reinforced cementitious conmposite. This study investigates the behavior of high-performance fiber-reinforced cementitious composite-filled double-skin steel tube (HPCFDST) beams strengthened longitudinally with various layers, lengths, and configurtion of CFRP sheets. The findings showed that, with increased CFRP layers, the moment capacity and flexural stiffness values of the retrofitted HPCFDST beams have significantly improved. For an instant, the moment capacity of HPCFDST beams improved by approximately 28.5% and 32.6% when they were wrapped partially along 100% with two and three layers, respectively, compared to the control beam. Moreover, the moment capacity of the HPCFDST beam using two partial layers of CFRP along 75% of its sufficient length was closed to the findings of the beam with two full CFRP layers. For energy absorption, the results showed a vast disparity. Only the two layers with a 100% full length and partial wrapping showed increasing performance over the control. Furthermore, the typical failure mode of HPCFDST beams was observed to be local buckling at the top surface near the point of loading and CFRP rapture at the bottom of effect length.
RESUMO
An experimental study is conducted to determine the influence of secondary reinforcement on the behaviour of corbels fabricated with three different types of high-performance fiber-reinforced cementitious composites, including engineered cementitious concrete (ECC); high-performance steel fiber-reinforced composite (HPSFRC); and hybrid fiber-reinforced composite (HyFRC). Two shear span-to-depth ratios (a/d = 0.75 and 1.0) are explored. The mechanical properties of the composites in terms of tensile, compressive, and flexural strengths are investigated. Next, the structural behaviour of the high-performance cementitious composite corbels in terms of ultimate load capacity, ductility, and failure modes under the three-point bending test are investigated. The secondary reinforcement is proven to significantly affect stiffness and ultimately load capacity of all three high-performance composite corbels with an aspect ratio of 0.75. However, the secondary reinforcement was more impactful for the HPSFRC corbels, with 51% increase of ultimate strength. Moreover, in terms of damage, fewer cracks occurred in ECC corbels. HPSFRC corbels displayed the highest level of ductility and deformation capacity compared to the other specimens. The results were comparatively analyzed against the predicted results using truss and plastic truss models which provided relatively reliable shear strength.
