Integrated Formwork Elements Made of Textile-Reinforced Concrete

The aim of this research project was to develop a textile-reinforced concrete ceiling board that remains as part of the ceiling after completion. The lost formwork element was designed to carry the load of a 200 mm (7.87 inch) thick layer of fresh concrete. The influence of different reinforcement textiles was examined. The load bearing capacity and the serviceability were investigated by 4-point bending tests. The bond to the top concrete layer was examined by bending tests carried out on composite beams consisting of the formwork element with a top concrete layer. To test the load-bearing capacity when the element is used as part of a one-way spanning slab, composite slabs of three formwork elements with steel-reinforced top concrete were cast and tested. The resistance to fire of the integrated formwork elements was investigated by conducting standardized fire tests. The results from this investigation demonstrate that the developed textile reinforced concrete formwork element successfully achieved the designed load-bearing capacity and serviceability requirements.