FLEXURE BEHAVIOUR OF REINFORCED CEMENT CONCRETE AND POST

TENSIONED BEAMS USING HIGH STRENGTH HYBRID FIBER SELF

COMPACTING CONCRETE USING QUARTZ MATERIALS

B.Narendra Kumar 1, K.Rajesh2, P.Suresh Chandra Babu 3, Dr.P.Srinivasa Rao 4

1
Associate Professor, Department of Civil Engineering, VNR VJIET, Hyderabad, India.
2
M.Tech, Structural Engineering, Department of Civil Engineering, VNR VJIET, Hyderabad, India.
3
M.Tech, Structural Engineering, Department of Civil Engineering, VNR VJIET, Hyderabad, India.
4
Professor, Department of Civil Engineering, JNTU College of Engineering, Hyderabad, India.

ABSTRACT

An experimental program was planned in which the specimens of size 230mm x

450mm x 2800mm reinforced cement concrete (RCC) beams and 230mm x 300mm x
2800mm post tensioned (PT) beams with and without hybrid fibers (Steel Fibers with aspect
ratio 60:1 and Glass Fibers with aspect ratio 857:1) were tested under four point static
flexure loading to obtain the flexural strength of M100 grade HSSCC. Central deflection,
crack load, ultimate load and failure patterns were studied. A total of eight beams were
tested. The R.C.C beams were designed as per IS: 456 (2000), P.T beams were designed as
per IS: 1343 (2005) and the flexural strength is determined as per IS 516 (1959). It can be
concluded that the load carrying capacity of beams with P.T beams along with hybrid fibers
showed improved load bearing capacity, ductile behaviour compared to all other beams.

Key Points:High Strength, Flexure Behaviour, Post Tension Beams, Hybrid Fibers, Quartz
Materials.

1. INTRODUCTION

Concrete is a basic engineering material, used in the construction of building,

sanitary, nuclear, hydraulic, marine, highway and bridge structures. It has got wide range of
applications in building components such as beams, slabs, columns and in more complex
systems, such as pressure vessels, industrial shell roofs, offshore structures, bridges, dam
structures, etc. Cement concrete possesses a high compressive strength and is usually more
economical than steel. However, concrete has two draw backs as a structural material in that
it behaves as a brittle material and itpossesses a low tensile strength.
The weakness is due to the material's inability to prevent small cracks, which can
originate at a flaw or void in the material, and becoming unstable under small tensile stress.
The deficiencies of low tensile strength and insufficient ductility are minimized by providing
conventional steel in the tensile region of the member to sustain the tensile stress or by means
of applying a pre-compression or pre-stress in the concrete cross section, to alter the load
deformation characteristics. Further, cement concrete is porous in its basic structure as a
result of which permeation of air, moisture and other deleterious agents occur, causing
corrosion of reinforcement. To overcome this weakness short discrete fibers are often
introduced into the cement concrete matrix to enhance the concrete resistance to
crackpropagation. Introduction of fibers also leads to reduction in crack widths.

Fiber Reinforced Concrete (FRC) is a conventional concrete mix which contains short
discrete (or discontinuous) fibers that are randomly distributed within the fresh concrete mix.
Subsequently, the fibers may be partially aligned by the process of shotcreting, surface
finishing or by other means of consolidations. Besides, partial alignment of the discrete fiber
could also be achieved due to geometrical constraints in formwork, mould surfaces, or
interfaces with existing concrete, rock or subgrade [1]. Fiber is useful in bridging cracks,
transferring loads, and developing microcracks distribution systems [2]. With that, the use of
fiber reinforcement in concrete enhances its compressive, flexural, and tensile strength. In
such circumstances, the structural performance, shear strength, energy absorption capacity,
damage tolerance in flexural and shear-critical members under reversed cyclic loading as well
as the ductility of concrete is also improved by the composite actions that occur between the
fiber and the bonding matrix [3, 4]. According to Tatnall [1], the presence of a high amount
of fibers in the matrix corresponds to a high probability of intercepting the micro cracks,
which is, the zone of weakness upon being subjected to bending stresses. Nonetheless,
excessive fiber content would create air voids in the micro and macrostructures of the
cementitious matrix, resulting in poor quality of the fiber/matrix interface zone, hence, weak
fiber/matrix bond [5]. Barluenga and Hernández-Olivares [8] studied the crack propagation
behaviour of concrete with short alkali-resistant (AR) glass fibers at early ages, i.e. less than
24 h. The use of high fiber content (1000 g/m3) resulted in lower crack control efficiency due
to the formation of cracks which were parallel to the fibers orientation at the GFRC slab.
Apart from these, the addition of AR glass fibers does alter the compressive strength, flexural
strength, ultrasonic pulse velocity and Young Modulus of the concrete significantly. Baruah
and Talukdar [6] conducted a comparative study on the engineering properties of concrete
reinforced using various fibers from different origin. Among different content of coconut
fibers (0.5–2.0% by volume fraction), the coconut fiber reinforced concrete (CFRC) with
2.0% fiber volume fraction exhibited the best engineering performance. The compressive,
flexural, splitting tensile and shear strengths of 2% CFRC were 13.7%, 28.0%, 22.9% and
32.7% higher as compared to the plain unreinforced concrete. Yan et al. [7] concluded that
the bond which exist between the fiber/matrix interface is mainly mechanical based on their
investigations on polyolefin fiber reinforced concrete composite. The fiber/matrix bond could
be strengthening by improving the anchorage of fiber tendrils and their surface roughness.

2. MATERIALS

An ordinary Portland cement of 53 grades is being used in the mix. Quartz sand is
used as fine aggregate replacing river sand by 100%. Aggregate of size ranging from 4.75mm
to 20mm is used as coarse aggregate. MasterGlenium ACE 30 and Glenium stream 2 are used
as Super plasticizer and VMA respectively. Hooked endsteel fibers of aspect ratio 60:1 and
CEM-FIL anti crack alkali resistant glass fibers of aspect ratio 857:1 are used in the
mix.More details of this fiber can be seen in the reference [9]. Fe415 grade steel of required
dimensions is used for reinforcement. Post-tensioning strandof Grade 1860 MPa low
relaxation, seven-wire strand conforming to the requirements of ASTM A 416 “Standard
Specification for Steel Strand, Uncoated Seven Wire Strand for Prestressed Concrete” is
used.

3. MIX PROPORTION

Self compacting concrete mix is made using 640kg/m3 of cement, 64kg/m3 of micro
silica and 160 kg/m3 of quartz powder. 1.5% of cementations material is used as super
plasticizer and 0.25% of cementations material is used as viscosity modifying agent has been
taken from previous literature [10, 11]. Fibers are tuned to 1.5% of cementations material
[11]. The Quantities in the mix are as shown in Table 1.

Table 1. MIX PROPORTIONS USED

MATERIALS HSSCC HSHFSCC
 Cement (kg/m3) 640 640
Micro Silica (kg/m3) 64 64
Quartz Powder (kg/m3) 160 160
Quartz Sand (kg/m3) 887 887
Coarse aggregate (kg/m3) 797.53 797.53
SP (% of P.C) 1.5 1.5
VMA (% of P.C) 0.5 0.5
W/P ratio 0.20 0.21
Steel Fibers (% of P.C) - 0.75
Glass Fibers (% of P.C) - 0.75

4. Batching, Mixing and Placing of HSHFSCC

The proportioning of the quantity of cementations material (Cement, Quartz powder

and micro silica), fine aggregate (Quartz Sand), coarse aggregate, superplasticizer, VMA
steel and glass fibers were done using weight batching as per the mix design. Water was
measured in volume. All the measuring equipment are maintained in a clean serviceable
condition with their accuracy periodically checked.
The concrete used in the study is laboratory produced with an electrically operated
pan mixer 80 litre in capacity. Buttering of the mixer (disposal of the first mix) was always
firstly conducted before the first intended batch. This is to eliminate the effect of the mixer
dryness/wetness condition. The same mixing procedure was followed for all HSHFSCC
mixtures. Firstly, the total content of course aggregate and fine aggregate were mixed in dry
condition in the mixer until uniform distribution was observed. Then cementations materials
(cement + quartz powder + micro silica) are added and mixed until uniformity. Secondly,
water and chemical admixtures like SP and VMA are premixed in a beaker and stirred lightly.
The premixed solution (Water + SP + VMA) was added to the running mixer in about 3 - 4
intervals limiting the running time to 3 minutes. The mixer is kept still for 30 seconds and at
last the fibers were sprinkled while mixing thoroughly for 2min until uniform mix is obtained
(this 2min mixing is done even though fibers were not added). Once the mixing time was
completed, concrete is placed and the rheological tests (slump flow test, V-funnel test, L-box
test and U-box test) were performed in quick succession.

5. INITIAL TEST RESULTS

5.1 Properties of fresh concrete:

In order to determine the self compatibility the following test were conducted on fresh
concrete
(i) FLOW TABLE
(ii) V FUNNEL
(iii) L-BOX
In Flow Table test the diameter and T500 represent flowing ability, where V Funnel and L
Box represent the passing and filling ability, which are presented inTable 2 andTable 3.

Table 2. FLOW PROPERTIES OF HSSCC

Test Method HSSCC
Diameter (mm) 750
Flow Table
T500 (seconds) 2
 Tf (seconds) 6
V Funnel
T5 min (seconds) 8
L box 0.9

Table 3. FLOW PROPERTIES OF HSHFSCC

Test Method HSHFSCC
Diameter (mm) 714
Flow Table
T500 (seconds) 5
Tf (seconds) 10
V Funnel
T5 min (seconds) 12
L box 0.87

5.2 Properties of hardened concrete:

The hardened properties like compressive strength, split tensile strength and flexural strength
of HSSCC and HSHFSCC are presented in table 4 and table 5 respectively.

Table 4. HARDENED PROPERTIES OF HSSCC

Test method 7day (MPa) 28day (MPa)
Compressive Strength 85.35 109.18
Split Tensile Strength 1.85 4.23
Flexural Strength 9.83 13.45

Table 5. HARDENED PROPERTIES OF HSHFSCC

Test method 7day (MPa) 28day (MPa)
Compressive Strength 96.3 123.8
Split Tensile Strength 2.89 8.35
Flexural Strength 13.33 18.52

6. EXPERIMENTAL PROCEDURE

In the investigation the flexural behaviour of reinforced concrete beams (RCC) and
post-tensioned beams (PT) using HSSCC & HSHFSCC were studied. A total number of 4
Beams were cast as follows; RCC beams without fibers (RCB), RCC beams with hybrid
fibers (RCBHF), PT beams without fibers (PTB) and PT beams with hybrid fibers (PTBHF).
The dimensions of RCB and RCBHF are 230mm x 450mm x 2800mm which are
designed as per IS: 456 (2000).Reinforcement details are as shown in the Figure 1. PTB and
PTBHF are designed as per IS: 1343 (2005). Dimensions andlocation of 12.5 mm diameter
hightensile wire used in the beam are shown in the Figure 2. Beams were cast to rectangular
shape, with a duct for post tensioning high tensile steel strand of 12.5 mm diameter for
applying the stressing force of 430 kgf/cm2 with a trapezoidal profile as shown in Figure 2.
Tensioning of strand is done at the age of 14 days followed by grouting. Test of all the beams
is conducted after 28 days of cast as per IS:516 (1959) using UTM (100Tons) and the setup is
done using steel I-sections of length 3 meters below the test beam for simply support on
rollers and another 1 meter I-section of comparatively lower dimension is fitted to the middle
jaw of UTM so as to apply uniformly increased static load at 1/3rd and 2/3rd points of the
beam as shown in the Figure 3, 4 below till failure of the beam. Dial gauge is placed below
the mid-point of the beam to measure the central deflection. After the first crack dial gauges
were removed and central deflections were noted down using vertical scale fixed to the
machine. Load was applied continuously further, till the failure of the beam and failure load
was recorded. This procedure was adopted while testing all the beams.

Figure 1: Details of RCB and RCBHF beams

Figure 2: Details of PTB and PTBHF beams

Figure 3: Loading pattern and end conditions of the Beam

 Figure 4: Anchorage Assembly

Figure 5: Free End of the Strand with Anchorage

TENSIONING OF STRANDS

Figure 6: Stressing of Strand Using Hydraulic Jack

Figure 7: Showing Elongation after Stressing

Forces applied: the amount of force applied for tendon stressing is 430kgf/cm2 and same
force is applied for the strand in each beam.
Elongation observed in strand of: Beam-1 elongation is 10mm
Beam -2 elongation is 11mm
Beam -3 elongation is 10mm
All elongations are with limits as per specification given by IS: 1343-2012

Figure 8: Grouting of PT Beam

Figure 9: Experimental Test setup

 7. TEST RESULTS

500
UL (443.8) UL (460.5)

450 CL (454.3)
CL (423.3)
400

350 FL (442.9) FL (429.6)

300
Load (kN)

250

200

150

100

50
RCB-1 RCB-2
0
0 5 10 15 20 25 30 35
Centerline Deflection (mm)
Graph 1 Load verses Deflection Curve for RCB-1 & RCB-2
600
UL (504.2) UL (514.9)

500 CL (497.2)
CL (468.8)

400

FL (482.8) FL (464.3)
Load (kN)

300

200

100

RCBHF-1 RCBHF-2
0
0 10 20 30 40 50 60
Centerline Deflection (mm)
Graph 2 Load verses Deflection Curve for RCBHF-1 & RCBHF-2
 350
UL (323.73) UL (324.16)

300
CL (269.70)

250 CL (264.17)
FL (317.52) FL (320.83)

200
Load (kN)

150

100

50

PTB-1 PTB-2
0
0.00 10.00 20.00 30.00 40.00 50.00 60.00
Central Deflection (mm)
Graph 3 Load verses Deflection Curve for PTB-1 & PTB-2
450
UL (388.5) UL (394.0)
400

350 CL (349.5)
CL (331.5)
300
FL (374.3) FL (383.1)
Load (KN)

250

200

150

100

50
PTBHF-1 PTBHF-2
0
0.00 10.00 20.00 30.00 40.00 50.00 60.00 70.00
Central Deflection (mm)
Graph 4 Load verses Deflection Curve for PTBHF-1 & PTBHF-2
 Table 6: Loads with corresponding deflections
Crack Ultimate Failure
Beam Deflection Deflection Deflection
load load load
designation (mm) (mm) (mm)
(kN) (kN) (kN)
RCB-1 454.25 17.2514 460.5 19.86 442.02 26.92
RCB-2 423.38 16.72462 443.80 19.72 429.63 28.34
RCBHF-1 468.77 20.98 503.23 27.01 483.42 43.83
RCBHF -2 497.23 24.74 514.90 29.01 475.7 44.25
PTB-1 269.70 23.34 323.73 36.25 317.52 46.61
PTB-2 264.17 24.49 324.16 39.76 320.83 48.69
PTBHF-1 349.5 22.13 388.5 30.54 374.3 64.91
PTBHF-2 331.5 21.01 394.0 36.03 383.1 66.57

Table 7: Strengths with corresponding deflections

Crack Ultimate Failure
Beam Deflection Deflection Deflection
Strength Strength Strength
designation (mm) (mm) (mm)
(MPa) (MPa) (Mpa)
RCB-1 27.31 17.2514 27.68 19.86 26.57 26.92
RCB-2 25.45 16.72462 26.68 19.72 25.83 28.34
RCBHF-1 28.18 20.98 30.25 27.01 29.06 43.83
RCBHF -2 29.89 24.74 30.95 29.01 28.60 44.25
PTB-1 36.48 23.34 43.79 36.25 42.95 46.61
PTB-2 35.73 24.49 43.85 39.76 43.40 48.69
PTBHF-1 47.28 22.13 52.55 30.54 50.63 64.91
PTBHF-2 44.84 21.01 53.29 36.03 51.82 66.57
 Figure 5: RCC Beam after Failure showing Crack Pattern

Figure 6: PT Beam after Failure showing Crack Pattern

DISCUSSIONS
 PT beams with hybrid fiber showed increased load values when compared with beams
without fiber.
 The percentage of increase of load at first crack in beams with hybrid fibers is 27.56%
more than beams without fibers at approximately same deflection values.
 Ultimate load of beams with hybrid fibers is 20.78% more than beams without fibers
at slightly lower values of deflection.
 PT beams with hybrid fiber showed large increase in deflection before failure with
18.65% increase in failure load compared to beams without fibers.
 CONCLUSIONS

 Addition of fibers up to 1.5% by the weight of powder content increases the ductile
behaviour and load carrying capacity of the RCC beams and PT beams using high
strength self-compacting concrete.
 The combination of stirrups and fibers demonstrates a positive hybrid effect on the
mechanical behaviour, and is one of the optimal choices for improving the shear
capacity in both RCC and PT beams.
 Percentage increase of crack load, ultimate load and failure load of the RCC beam
with hybrid fibers at 28 days of curing are 10.56%, 18.78%, 15.65% when compared
to the RCC beams without fibers respectively.
 Using of hybrid fibers in RCC beams can increase the ultimate load, and the
deformability corresponding to the ultimate to failure load.
 Percentage increase of crack load, ultimate load and failure load of the PT beams with
hybrid fibers at 28 days of curing are 27.56%, 20.78%, 18.65% when compared to the
PT beams without fibers respectively.
 Using of hybrid fibers in PT beams can increase the ultimate load, and the
deformability corresponding to the ultimate to failure load.
 Percentage increase of crack, ultimate and failure strength of the beams at 28 days of
curing for RCC beams and PT beams without fibers are 36.86%, 61.20% and 64.77%
respectively.
 Percentage increase of crack, ultimate and failure strength of the beam with hybrid
fibers at 28 days of curing for RCC and PT are 58.62%, 72.92% and 77.67%
respectively.
 The positive hybrid effect of stirrups and hybrid fibers can be used to enhance the
flexural resistance of RCC and PT beams using high strength self-compacting
concrete.
 The combination of stirrups and steel fibers in SCC members can also positively
affect the concrete casting, improve the concrete quality as well as the bond behaviour
between the steel rebar and concrete matrix, and reduce the construction period.

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