New analytical model to generalize the Barcelona Test using axial displacement

The Barcelona Test has proved to be very suitable for the systematic control of the tensile properties of Fibre Reinforced Concrete (FRC). Nevertheless, the need to measure the total circumferential opening displacement (TCOD) of the specimen entails the use of an expensive circumferential extensometer. In order to simplify the test, studies from the literature propose the use of the axial displacement of the press (δ) instead of the TCOD, obtaining empirical equations to correlate the energy estimated with both measurements. However, these equations are only valid for δ ranging from 1 to 4 mm and were adjusted based on the test results of just a few types of FRC. The verification of this formulation for other types of FRC shows an average error of 51.1%, thus limiting the simplification proposed for the test. In this paper, a new analytical model to convert the δ into the TCOD is developed and validated for a wide range of FRC. Besides being applicable to the whole range of δ, the new model provides a clear physical understanding of the main mechanism observed during the test and shows an average error of only 6.7%, making it possible to simplify the Barcelona test.

[1]  Lucie Vandewalle,et al.  Dispersion of the mechanical properties of FRC investigated by different bending tests , 2008 .

[2]  Climent Molins,et al.  Quality control test for SFRC to be used in precast segments , 2006 .

[3]  P. Serna,et al.  Structural cast-in-place SFRC: technology, control criteria and recent applications in spain , 2009 .

[4]  Joost C. Walraven,et al.  High performance fiber reinforced concrete: progress in knowledge and design codes , 2009 .

[5]  Antonio Aguado,et al.  Application of constitutive models in European codes to RC–FRC , 2013 .

[6]  Jean-Philippe Charron,et al.  Design of SFRC structural elements: post-cracking tensile strength measurement , 2012 .

[7]  Climent Molins i Borrell,et al.  Quality control test for SFRC to be used in precast segments , 2006 .

[8]  Antonio Aguado,et al.  Cracking behavior of FRC slabs with traditional reinforcement , 2012 .

[9]  Lionello Bortolotti,et al.  Double-Punch Test for Tensile and Compressive Strengths in Concrete , 1988 .

[10]  W. F. Chen,et al.  Double punch test for tensile strength of concrete, Sept. 1969 (70-18) PB224770/AS (NTIS) , 1969 .

[11]  Antonio Aguado,et al.  Inductive method for assessing the amount and orientation of steel fibers in concrete , 2012 .

[12]  Antonio Aguado,et al.  Hormigón ligero autocompactante con fibras para rehabilitación de forjados , 2011 .

[13]  Sergio Carmona Malatesta,et al.  Generalization of the Barcelona test for the toughness control of FRC , 2012 .

[14]  Albert de la Fuente,et al.  Experiences in Barcelona with the use of fibres in segmental linings , 2012 .

[15]  Lucie Vandewalle,et al.  Fibre reinforced concrete: new design perspectives , 2009 .

[16]  Climent Molins,et al.  Double Punch Test to control the energy dissipation in tension of FRC (Barcelona test) , 2009 .