Structural Concrete 

About: Structural Concrete is an academic journal published by Wiley-Blackwell. The journal publishes majorly in the area(s): Compressive strength & Engineering. It has an ISSN identifier of 1464-4177. Over the lifetime, 2047 publications have been published receiving 21445 citations.

Self-compacting concrete

Abstract: Self-compacting concrete was first developed 1988 in order to achieve durable concrete structures. Since then, various investigations have been carried out, and the concrete has been used in practical structures in Japan, mainly by large construction companies. Investigations for establishing a rational mix design method and self-compactability testing methods have been carried out from the viewpoint of making it a standard concrete. In addition to Japan, investigations have been started in many countries, and it has been applied to practical structures especially in Canada, Sweden, The Netherlands, Thailand and Taiwan. Recommendations and manuals for self-compacting concrete have also been published in Japan. In this article, the current condition of self-compacting concrete is summarized based on reports given at the International Workshop on Self-compacting Concrete, Kochi, Japan, in 1998.

Fibre‐reinforced concrete in fib Model Code 2010: principles, models and test validation

Abstract: In the fib Model Code for Concrete Structures 2010, fibre-reinforced concrete (FRC) is recognized as a new material for structures. This introduction will favour forthcoming structural applications because the need of adopting new design concepts and the lack of international building codes have significantly limited its use up to now. In the code, considerable effort has been devoted to introducing a material classification to standardize performance-based production and stimulate an open market for every kind of fibre, favouring the rise of a new technological player: the composite producer. Starting from standard classification, the simple constitutive models introduced allow the designer to identify effective constitutive laws for design, trying to take into account the major contribution in terms of performance and providing good orientation for structural uses. Basic new concepts such as structural characteristic length and new factors related to fibre distribution and structural redistribution benefits are taken into account. A few examples of structural design starting from the constitutive laws identified are briefly shown. FRC can be regarded as a special concrete characterized by a certain toughness after cracking. For this reason, the most important constitutive law introduced is the stress-crack opening response in uniaxial tension. A wide discussion of the constitutive models introduced to describe this behaviour, which controls all the main contributions of fibres for a prevailing mode I crack propagation, is proposed. The validity of the models is discussed with reference to ordinary cross-sections as well as thin-walled elements by adopting plane section or finite element models.

Models for flexural cracking in concrete: the state of the art

Abstract: Crack formation presents a complex mechanical and geometrical question to be modelled. The available crack width formulations are often based on simplifications. A rigorous formulation of crack widths should be based on the integration of strain differences of reinforcement and concrete between cracks, due to the accumulated slips. In this paper an extensive literature review on crack widths and crack spacing is presented. The basic intention of the present paper is to summarise the development of flexural crack models and collect the most relevant formulae for crack spacing and crack width. It reports not only the possible improvement of design or research equations but also the appearance of new types of reinforcements with different characteristics from those of steel reinforcements. This state-of-the-art Report is a contribution to the work of fib TG 4.1 ‘Serviceability Models’.

Fillers to improve passing ability of concrete

Abstract: Concrete possessing high-passing ability needs to be flowable and cohesive. Hence, passing ability cannot be improved by solely adding superplasticizer, which increases both flowability and segregation of concrete simultaneously. Decreasing the maximum size of aggregates so that concrete segregates at lower cohesiveness is a possible but undesirable way as it narrows the aggregates' grading and decrease dimensional stability of concrete. With the same maximum size of aggregates, passing ability can be improved by raising the concurrent flowability-segregation envelope of concrete. In this paper, fly ash and silica fume (cementitious fillers) and limestone (inert filler) were selected to replace cement partially and subsequently the passing ability of concrete was studied. From the results, it was evident that when either type of fillers were used, the passing ability and maximum limits of flowability and segregation achieved simultaneously increase. It is because these fillers are finer than cement that provides better filling effect to increase packing density and excess water leading to better flowability. Concurrently, the cohesiveness of concrete also increases as the content of fine particles increases. These allow concrete to hold the coarse aggregates more firmly when passing through narrow gaps, after which the concrete will keep flowing rapidly.

History and overview of fabric formwork: using fabrics for concrete casting

Abstract: The concept of casting concrete in fabrics, fabric formwork technology, has resurfaced at various times and in different forms throughout the past century. The following paper traces developments that have used fabrics for concrete formwork, including different types of flexible formwork, controlled permeability formwork and pneumatic formwork. This paper presents a comprehensive historical overview of fabric formwork, listing key innovators, technological developments and their advantages, and offering examples of structures built with these methods. The information gathered is used to present a taxonomy of these related formwork technologies as well as a formal definition of the term “fabric formwork” that encompasses them. The paper is intended to introduce readers to these technologies and offer readers already familiar with these methods additional historical background.