Parametrization of the mechanical behavior of fiber reinforced concrete pipes

• Grant number: 13/03260-3
• Support Opportunities: Regular Research Grants
• Start date: February 01, 2014
• End date: October 31, 2016
• Field of knowledge: Engineering - Civil Engineering - Construction Industry
• Principal Investigator: Antonio Domingues de Figueiredo
• Grantee: Antonio Domingues de Figueiredo
• Host Institution: Escola Politécnica (EP). Universidade de São Paulo (USP). São Paulo , SP, Brazil
• Associated researchers: Renata Monte

Abstract

In Brazil, the need of sewage collecting and treatment systems is high, presenting a deficit of over 50 %. The use of concrete pipes has several advantages. These pipes can be produced with simple concrete, for pipes of 600 mm diameter, reinforced with steel bars and/or fibers. The reinforcement using fibers is restricted to diameters of 1000 mm. The use of fibers instead of steel bars has the major advantage of eliminating the preparation of steel bars. Standardization of fiber reinforced concrete pipe (FRCP) is recent, and a solid knowledge of the behavior of the component is necessary for the technology diffusion. The lack of model design and prediction of the component behavior has made designs are made empirically by varying the dosage of the fibers and/or thickness of the component. Although some numerical models have already been successfully applied to predict the mechanical behavior of FRCP there are still doubts about the suitability of the same input parameters. Thus, one should seek more reliable parameters to optimize the application of these models, guaranteeing them more accurately. This work aims to establish parameters for the mechanical behavior of fiber reinforced concrete for pipes, to improve the adherence of the model of component behavior. For this, a methodology involving an experimental program and verification in a numeric model will be made. Specimens and tubes were molded with different types and fiber contents. It is expected that this study may improve in modeling the behavior of concrete pipes reinforced with fibers, making it more effective and accurate in predicting the behavior of the component in service. The use of prediction models may facilitate the development of new components or to verify the behavior of new fibers. With this, a new condition will be more effective for control of production of the tubes. (AU)