Envirokerb WIP

Sheffield
Hallam University

Pipeline and Drainage Systems
12A Flanshaw Way
Flanshaw
Wakefield
WF2 9LP
UK

Serviceability characteristics
of Envirokerb

Report No. CIM 171/r2
March 2007

Centre for Infrastructure Management
Sheffield Hallam University
City Campus
Howard Street
Sheffield
S1 1WB
UNITED KINGDOM
Tel: +44 (0)114 225 3339/5000
Fax: +44 (0)114 225 4546

Serviceability characteristics of Envirokerb
2

Revision Date Ref. Remarks
0 15/03/07 CIM 171 Work in Progress Report Issued to Client
1 16/03/07 CIM 171 Work in Progress Report Issued to Client
2 27/03/07 CIM 171 Work completed

Originated: _______________________ Date: _01/05/2007__
by Dr A. Lukojc

Checked: ______________________ Date: _01/05/2007__
by: Dr F. O'Flaherty

Approved: ______________________ Date: _01/05/07__
by Prof. P Mangat
(Director)

This report is made on behalf of CIM. By receiving the report and acting on it, the client - or any
third party relying on it - accepts that no individual is personally liable in contract, tort or breach of
statutory duty (including negligence)
Centre for Infrastructure Management, Sheffield Hallam University, City Campus, Howard Street,
Sheffield S1 1WB. Telephone 0114 225 3339 Fax 0114 225 4546 Web www.shu.ac.uk/cim
3

SERVICEABILITY CHARACTERISTICS OF ENVIROKERB

Tests were required to be carried out on two types of drainage kerb products, they
are:
1- Envirokerb product made from recycled material.
2- Conventional concrete product

1. IMPACT TEST

The aim of the tests was to compare the response of the above types of kerbstones
to the application of dynamic loads.

Preliminary tests were carried out to identify the location of the weakest point in the
test specimen and the approximate energy required to cause failure.

1.1. Impact Test Apparatus

The test apparatus is shown in Figure 1 and comprises of the following components:

1- A solid steel cylinder weighing 4.14kg with dimensions as shown in Figure 2
which was hung by a wire passing through a pulley.
2- A transparent plastic tube 1300mm in length with an internal diameter of
69mm acting as a vertical guide to the steel cylinder.
3- The impact load was applied by dropping the cylindrical weight through a
predetermined height which was determined by preliminary testing of the kerb
product.

1.2. Test Procedure

The specimen was placed on a solid base and located in such a way so as the
predetermined point of application of the load was directly below the bottom end of
the guiding tube (Figure 1).

The steel cylinder, whose top end was attached to a wire, was raised inside the
guiding tube by pulling the free end of the wire over a fixed pulley to a height of
1100mm above the top of specimen. This drop height was found, from the
preliminary tests, to be suitable for both the Envirokerb and Concrete products.

The steel cylinder was then released suddenly from the 1100mm height to fall freely
and impact on the test specimen. This impact load application was repeated as many
times as necessary to cause failure of the kerb test sample; the maximum number of
the repeated blows was limited to 50 for concrete and 100 for Envirokerb at which
failure was deemed not to occur.

The impact load was applied at selected locations on the kerb samples (three points).
These locations represented the perceived weakest points (Figure 3).

4
The impact resistance has been presented as the number of blows applied by the
cylindrical weight (drop height 1100mm) at the weakest location.

Figure 1 Test set-up

Test specimen
Steel cylinder (impact weight)
Guide tube
Pulley
Line
5

Figure 2 Dimensions of the steel cylindrical weight used for impact testing

Figure 3 Location of impact test points
50
2
6
5

2
4
0

15
1 2
3
3
0

55
115
1
3
0

1
2
0

350
6

1.3. Impact Test Results

The impact results and observations obtained from the tests are as shown in the
following table

Table 1. Impact test results
Impact
position
Type of
kerbstone
No of blows
(N)
Comments
Envirokerb 100* No visible damage (Fig. 4)
1
Concrete 8
Specimen cracks after 7 blows (Fig. 5)
and failed by splitting along the whole
specimen at the top and bottom after 8
blows (Fig.6)
Envirokerb 100* No visible damage (Fig. 7)
2
Concrete 50
Damage at the top surface - 11.9 mm
deep cavity formed after 50 blows.
No cracks along the specimen (Fig. 8)
Envirokerb 100*
Local depression at the top surface -
2.5mm deep hole after 100 blows - due
to local softening of the polymer caused
by friction heat (Fig. 9)
3
Concrete 4
The specimen cracked after 3 blows
(Fig. 10) and failed completely after 4
blows by splitting along the whole
specimen at the top and bottom (Fig.11)
* - Tests stopped while specimen was intact to take further impact
7

Figure 4 Envirokerb specimen impact loaded at position 1 showing no failure after
100 blows

Figure 5 Concrete specimen impact loaded at position 1 showing a crack after 7
blows

Figure 6 Concrete specimen impact loaded at position 1 showing a splitting failure
8 blows
8

Figure 7 Envirokerb specimen impact loaded at position 2 showing no failure after
100 blows

Figure 8 Concrete specimen impact loaded at position 2 showing a 11.88mm deep
cavity after 50 blows

Figure 9 Envirokerb specimen impact loaded at position 3 showing a 2.5mm deep
cavity after 100 blows

9

Figure 10 Concrete specimen impact loaded at position 3 showing a crack after 3
blows

Figure 11 Concrete specimen impact loaded at position 3 showing failure after 4
blows

1.4. Conclusions

The impact strength of the Envirokerb product is orders of magnitude superior to the
conventional concrete product. Any impact damage in the Envirokerb product is
localised in the form of a small abrasion while the concrete product fails destructively
with a split across the whole sample.
10

2. BENDING STRENGTH

Three point bending tests were conducted according to the British Standard - BS EN
1340. The bending tests were conducted in the longitudinal (bending applied about
the x-x axis) and lateral (bending applied about the y-y axis) directions (see Figures
12, 13 and 14). Thirteen specimens - six Envirokerb and seven concrete kerbs were
tested to determine the bending strength (longitudinal and lateral). Load was applied
at mid span through the 40mm diameter disc as shown in Figure 13. The span
between supports was 750mm.

Figure 12 Cross section of concrete kerb showing the axis of bending, x-x and y-y
x
y
x
y
11

Figure 13 Bending test set up according to BS EN 1340 - Lateral direction (bending
about y-y axis)
12

Figure 14 Bending test set up according to BS EN 1340 - Longitudinal direction
(bending about x-x axis)
13

Table 2. Results of the bending test
No
Testing
direction
Specimen
Exposure
condition
Maximum
Load
[kN]
Flexural
strength
f
cf

[MPa]
Remarks
1 Envirokerb
laboratory
air cured
10 -
No visible
damage*
(Fig. 14)
2 Envirokerb
Immersed
in water
for 24 h
16 -
No visible
damage*
(Fig. 15)
3 Envirokerb
Immersed
in water
for 24 h
18.35 -
No visible
damage*
4 Envirokerb +40 C 1.71 -
No visible
damage*
5 Envirokerb -1 C 25.73 14
Failure by single
flexural crack
6 Concrete
laboratory
air cured
15.8 4.8
Failure by single
flexural crack
(Fig. 16)
7 Concrete
Immersed
in water
for 24 h
18.78 5.7
Failure by single
flexural crack
8 Concrete
Immersed
in water
for 24 h
20.15 6.1
Failure by single
flexural crack
9 Concrete +40 C 8.89 2.7
Failure by single
flexural crack
10 Concrete +40 C 9.73 2.9
Failure by single
flexural crack
11
Lateral
Concrete -1 C 15.36 4.7
Failure by single
flexural crack
12 Envirokerb
Immersed
in water
for 24 h
36.3 16.4
Failure by single
flexural crack
(Fig. 17)
13
Longitudinal
Concrete
Immersed
in water
for 24 h
40.7 5.9
Failure by splitting
into two parts
* - Test was stopped when deflection was excessive and the specimen touched the
testing machine support base
14

(a)

(b)
Figure 15 Envirokerb air cured specimen during (a) lateral testing and (b) post-test
recovery.
15

(a)

(b)
Figure 16 Envirokerb specimen, water immersed for 24 h, (a) during testing in lateral
direction (b) and post-test recovery

Figure 17 Concrete kerb, air cured, at failure. Lateral direction of testing
16

(a)

(b)
Figure 18 Envirokerb specimen, water immersed for 24 h, (a) flexure failure crack
across back face and (b) indentation above support roller. Testing in
longitudinal direction

2.1. Conclusions

1. The load carrying capacity in bending (kN) for both the Envirokerb and Concrete
specimens is similar at ambient temperature of about 20 C in different moisture
conditions of the kerbs (wet and dry).
2. At low temperatures of exposure (-1C), the bending load capacity (kN) of
Envirokerb is almost 75% greater than the concrete kerbs.
3. At high temperatures of exposure (40C), the Envirokerb deflects more but does
not fail in flexure. The heated concrete kerbs have a lower load capacity in
bending than at lower temperatures.
4. Concrete kerbs fail in a brittle manner while the Envirokerbs continue to deflect
increasingly without cracking except at -1C when the Envirokerbs become more
brittle than at higher temperatures, but are likely to be less brittle than concrete
while the bending strength is much greater (see 2).
17

3. WATER ABSORPTION TESTS
The water absorption tests were carried on both the concrete and Envirokerb
samples. Both types of kerbs were weighed in the state in which they were supplied.
Then they were soaked in water for 24h and weighed again. This was followed by
putting them again in water for 3 days and weighing. The following table shows the
results.

Table 3. Water Absorption test results
Envirokerb Concrete
Day State
weight (kg)
water
absorbed
(kg)
weight (kg)
water
absorbed
(kg)
1 Dry (as supplied) 16.52 - 66.50 -
2
Immersed in water
(24h)
16.61 0.09 66.60 0.1
5
Immersed in water
(3 days)
16.64 0.12 66.80 0.3

3.1. Conclusion

The water absorption of concrete kerbs is about 2.5 times greater than the
Envirokerb. This is likely to result in lower freeze-thaw resistance of the concrete
kerb.

18

4. THERMAL EXPANSION TESTS
Thermal expansion tests were carried out on both the concrete kerbs and the
Envirokerbs. The tests were carried out by marking two sides of the samples as 'Side
A' and 'Side B' and fixing demec discs across which strain (expansion)
measurements were taken using a demec extensometer. The datum extension
reading was taken at room temperature (20C) and then the kerb specimens were
heated incrementally to 30C and 40C and an extension reading taken at each
temperature. The kerbs were also placed in a refrigerator chamber to cool them to -
5C and the extension monitored. The details of different temperatures and the
extensometer readings are given in Table 4. The results are plotted in Figures 19 and
20 where expansion is plotted in microstrain where 1000 microstrain, for example,
represents 0.1% expansion.

Table 4. Thermal expansion test results
Sample Temperature C Side A Side B
Envirokerb -5 504 445
Envirokerb 20 907 902

Concrete -5 831 877
Concrete 20 866 912
Concrete 30 878 918
Concrete 40 890 928

-3000
-2000
-1000
0
1000
2000
3000
-5 0 5 10 15 20 25 30 35 40
Temperature
o
C
M
i
c
r
o

S
t
r
a
i
n
Side A
Side B

Figure 19 Envirokerb specimen micro strain at various temperatures
19

-200
-150
-100
-50
0
50
100
150
200
250
300
-5 0 5 10 15 20 25 30 35 40
Temperature
o
C
M
i
c
r
o

S
t
r
a
i
n
Side A
Side B

Figure 20 Concrete kerb specimen micro strain at various temperatures

4.1. Conclusions

1. At 30C the expansion of Envirokerb and concrete kerb is similar.
2. At 40C the expansion of Envirokerb is greater than the concrete kerb. The
maximum expansion of Envirokerb is about 0.3% (3000 microstrain).
3. At -5C the contraction of Envirokerb is greater than the concrete kerb.

20

5. PUNCHING TEST
The punching tests were carried out on Envirokerb specimens only since they are
relatively thin-walled compared to concrete kerbs and therefore, could possibly suffer
localised punching failure due to point loads. The concrete kerbs have a solid cross-
section and punching failure is not relevant. These tests were carried in both
longitudinal and lateral direction of the specimens at positions 1, 2, 3 and 4 (shown in
Figure 21) which are considered to be critical locations for the localised damage. The
tests were carried out at different temperatures of the kerb samples.

Figure 21 Location of punching test points. 1 and 2 - longitudinal testing direction, 3
and 4 - lateral testing direction

1 2
3 4
21
Table 5. Punching test results for Envirokerb
Testing
direction
Position Exposure condition
Load
[kN]
Punching
Shear
(N/mm
2
)

Remarks
1 In air at 20C 27.3 8.63 -
2 In air at 20C 28.1 8.88 -
1
Immersed in water at
20C
30.8 9.73 -
2
20C
29.9 9.45 -
1 -5C 44 13.90 -
2 -5C 43 13.59 -
1 40C 15.9 5.02
Not Punched through
but badly cracked
and deformed
L
o
n
g
i
t
u
d
i
n
a
l

2 40C 13.9 4.39
Not Punched through
but badly cracked
and deformed

3 20C 15.63 5.85 -
4 20C 16.10 6.03 -
3
20C
18.75 7.02 -
4
20C
19.75 7.40 -
3 -5C 29.1 10.90 -
4 -5C 26.7 10.00 -
3 40C 12.96 4.85
Semi Punched
through, badly
deformed
L
a
t
e
r
a
l

4 40C 14.09 5.28
Semi Punched
through, badly
deformed

5.1. Conclusions

1. The Envirokerb material shows considerable ductility when localised punching
loads are applied. Large deflections can take place which recover when the
load is removed.
2. The punching shear load capacity increases at low temperature (-5C).
3. At high temperature (40C) punching failure does not occur but large localised
deformations take place which recover upon load removal.
22

6. SLIP RESISTANCE
Both the Envirokerbs and concrete kerbs were tested for slip resistance under
different environmental conditions. They were tested using TRL Rubber sliders
laterally, at right angle to the surface and at an angle of 45
0
to the surface and then
the mean taken to find the average slip resistance. The samples were tested under
dry and wet conditions at 20C and 0C. Table 6 shows the results of the samples
under different testing conditions. Values of slip resistance greater then 40 shown on
the C scale of the TRL equipment rubber sliders represents satisfactory slip
resistance according to BS EN1340.

Table 6. Slip Resistance Results
Environmental
condition
Testing Apparatus Envirokerb Concrete
Dry, 20C TRL Wide Rubber Slider 95 95
Wet, 20C TRL Wide Rubber Slider 69 83
Dry. 0C TRL Narrow Rubber Slider 71 82
Dry, 20C TRL Narrow Rubber Slider 83 88
Wet, 20C TRL Narrow Rubber Slider 59 79

6.1. Conclusion

The slip resistance of Envirokerb in all test conditions is significantly in excess of the
threshold value recommended in BS EN1340. The slip resistance of Envirokerb is
similar to the concrete kerbs expect under the wet condition when it is a bit lower.

Envirokerb WIP

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