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The primary objective of this study is to produce one-way slabs made of LWFC with low density and sufficient compressive strength suitable for structural purpose then investigate their flexural behavior under various types of reinforcement and thickness of the slab and the influence of addition of PP fibers reinforcement on the mechanical behavior of reinforced concrete slabs. The specimens were tested using four-point loading. The results concerning load capacity, deflection and failure mode and crack pattern for each specimen were obtained. Also, an analytical investigation of PP fiber and GFG contribution on the flexural behavior of foamed concrete slabs is studied to investigate the significant role of PP fiber on the stress distribution in reinforced foam concrete and predict the flexural moment capacity.

The materials used in this study are cement, fine aggregate (sand), water, PP fibers, foaming agent, chemical additives if required, steel reinforcing rebars and glass fiber grid. The combination of these constituent materials will be used to produce foamed concrete in this research Then this study will present the experimental program of one-way foamed concrete slabs including slabs reinforced with GFR grids and another with steel reinforcements. The slabs will be tested in the laboratory under static loading conditions to investigate their ultimate capacities. The flexural behavior is to the interest of the slabs reinforced with GFR grids reinforcements in comparison with that of one with steel reinforcing rebars. Three groups are considered. (1) Group I: two slabs of PP fiber foamed concrete with minimum required reinforcements. (2) Group II: two slabs of PP fiber foamed concrete with glass fiber grids. (3) Group III: two slabs of PP fiber foamed concrete with the minimum required reinforcements and glass fiber grids.

The experimental results proved the effectiveness and efficiency of this the new system in producing a low density of concrete below 1900 kg/m³ had a corresponding strength of about 17 MPa at least. Besides, the presence of PP fibers had a noticeable improvement on the flexural strength values for all the examined slabs. It was found that the specimens reinforced with steel reinforcement mesh carried higher flexural capacity compared to these reinforced with GFG only. The specimens reinforced with GFG exhibited the lowest flexural capacity due to GFG separation from the concrete substrate. Also, an analytical investigation to predict the flexural strength of all tested specimens was carried out. The analytical results were agreed with the experimental results. Therefore, LWFC can be used as a substitute lightweight concrete material for the production of structural concrete applications in the construction industries today.

Foamed concrete is a wide field to discuss. To achieve the objectives of the project, the study is focused on the foamed concrete with the following limitations: (1) because the aim of this research is to produce foamed concrete suitable for structural purposes, it is decided to produce mixes within the density range 1300–1900 kg/m³. (2) Simply-supported slabs are of considered. (3) This study also looks out by using GFR and without it.

The main objectives of this study were producing structural foamed concrete slabs and investigate their flexural response for residential uses.

This research is part of a project that aims to investigate using foamed concrete structurally in houses. Foamed concrete has a porous structure that makes it light in weight, good in thermal insulation, good in sound insulation and workable.

An experimental program is conducted in this research to investigate the behavior of polypropylene fiber reinforced foam concrete beams laterally reinforced with/without glass fiber grid.

The results proved the effectiveness and efficiency of using glass fiber grid as lateral reinforcements on the shear strength of reinforced foam concrete ribs, in reducing the cracks width and increasing its shear capacity, contrary to using glass fiber grid of reinforced foam concrete beams since glass fiber grid did not play good role in beams.

Limited literature is available regarding the structural use of foam concrete. However, work has been done in many countries concerning its use as insulation material, while limited work was done on structural type of foam concrete.

This paper aims to model the performances of frames structures by comparing the predictions of ordinary control concrete (CC) and concretes reinforced by fibers. Two types of steel fibers were used in this work, industrial steel fibers (ISF) and tire-reclaimed fibers obtained by cutting virgin steel tire-cord to 50 mm, noticed virgin steel fibers (VSF). In total, 3% of VSF are used. The results obtained in this paper clearly show the contribution of fibers in improving the global and local behavior of the frames structures. VSF gives the same or better overall behavior as the use of industrial fibers for the same percentage of fibers, with the advantage that VSF contributes to the protection of the environment and limit the wastage of steel.

This work was carried out using the commercial finite element code Abaqus/Explicit. The behavior of the different concretes used in this study was modeled by the concrete damage plasticity (CDP) constitutive law. The methodology adopted to complete this work consisted in identifying, by calibration of the available experimental results with the numerical predictions, the parameters of the corresponding CDP model for each of the concretes used in this work. To this end, the authors have successively identified the CDP parameters for the CC-V (control concrete used by Vecchio and Emara, 1992) used in frame structure (R + 1). Subsequently, the CDP parameters of the CC-T (control concrete used by Tlemat, 2004), the CVSF (concrete with virgin steel fibers) and the CISF-1 (concrete with industrial steel fibers type 1, ISF-1) are identified using the experimental results of beams under bending tests. Once the model parameters were determined for each concrete, the authors conducted a series of simulations to show the benefit of introducing claimed and industrial fibers in frame structure (R + 1) and (R + 2). This approach recommends the use of concrete reinforced with steel fibers, mainly 6% by mass of VSF and ISF-1, in place of ordinary concrete in new construction to increase the resistance of structures and contribute, if applicable, to the protection of the environment.

The main findings of this study can be summarized by: the strength and ductility of the frames structures made of concrete fiber are significantly increased. The use of tire-reclaimed steel fibers (VSF) gives the same or better overall behavior as the use of industrial fibers. In addition to their good mechanical contribution, the tire-reclaimed fibers contribute to the protection of the environment and limit the wastage of steel. The use of fibers reduces the cracking zones in concrete fiber frames structures. The usefulness of distinguishing the interstory displacement limits set by codes, in particular, uniform building code (UBC-97), for ordinary concretes and concrete reinforced with fibers is addressed.

The contribution of tire-reclaimed and industrial fibers on the strength and ductility of reinforced concrete-frames structures is addressed. The use of tire-reclaimed steel fibers gives the same or better overall behavior as the use of industrial fibers, the tire-reclaimed fibers having the advantage of contributing to the protection of the environment and limiting the wastage of steel. The paper also points to the usefulness of distinguishing the interstory displacement limits set by codes, in particular UBC-97, for ordinary concrete and concrete reinforced with fibers, in accordance to the predictions of the capacity curves.

The purpose of this paper is to investigate the potential design advantage in terms of resistance factors for normal weight concrete beams containing moderate-dose randomly dispersed short fibers and reinforced with glass fiber reinforced polymer (GFRP) bars.

An analytical model based on the current code specifications is used to calculate the moment capacity of over-reinforced sections. The vast majority of the considered beams are over-reinforced, compression-controlled. The data of the fiber-reinforced concrete (FRC) reinforced with GFRP bars are collected from three published research studies which are based on experimentally tested results. Three different types of short fibers with four volume fractions are considered. Probabilistic model is established to conduct reliability-based calibration using Monte-Carlo Simulation. Limit state function, relevant load and resistance random variables are identified, and adequate statistical parameters are selected. Target reliability index consistent with the one used to develop current design code specifications is used.

Reliability analysis and calibration process are carried out with the intention of estimating the flexural resistance factors for FRC beams reinforced with GFRP bars.

The predicted flexural resistance factors ranged from 0.72 to 0.95, giving the resistance factors the potential to be increased above the currently specified value of 0.65 for compression-controlled members reinforced with FRP bars.

Aim of this research work is to examine the stress–strain behavior and modulus of elasticity of fiber-reinforced concrete (FRC) exposed to elevated temperature. The purpose of this paper is to study the effect of standard fire exposure on the mechanical and microstructure characteristics of concrete specimens with different strength grade.

An electrical bogie hearth furnace was developed to simulate the ISO 834 standard fire curve. Specimens were exposed to high temperatures of 821°C, 925°C and 986°C for the duration of 30, 60 and 90 min, respectively, as per standard fire curve. Peak stress, peak strain, modulus of elasticity and damage level of heated concrete specimens were evaluated by experimental investigation. SEM-based microstructure investigation has been carried out to analyze the microstructure characteristics of heated concrete specimens.

The results revealed that carbon fiber reinforced concrete was found to be better than the FRC made with other fibers on improving the modulus of elasticity of concrete. An empirical relationship has been established to predict the modulus of elasticity of temperature exposed specimens with different type of fiber and grade of concrete. In comparison with low melting point fibers, high melting point fibers exhibited higher modulus of elasticity under all tested conditions. Surface damage and porosity level of concrete with carbon and basalt fibers were found to be lower than other FRC.

Empirical relationship was developed to determine the modulus of elasticity of concrete exposed to elevate temperature, and this will be useful for concrete design applications. This research work may be useful for finding the residual compressive strength of concrete exposed to elevate temperature. So that it will be helpful to identify the suitable repair/retrofitting technique for reinforced concrete elements.

The purpose of this study is to investigate the effect on flexural strength of fire-damaged concrete repaired with high-strength mortar (HSM).

Reinforced concrete beams with dimension of 100 mm × 100 mm × 500 mm were used in this study. Beams were then heated to 400°C and overlaid with either HSM or high-strength fiber reinforced mortar (HSFM) to measure the effectiveness of repair material. Repaired beams of different material were then tested for flexural strength. Another group of beams was also repaired and tested by the same procedure but was heated at higher temperature of 600°C.

Repair of 400°C fire-damaged samples using HSM regained 72 per cent of its original flexural strength, 100.8 per cent of its original toughness and 56.9 per cent of its original elastic stiffness. Repair of 400°C fire-damaged samples using HSFM regained 113.5 per cent of its original flexural strength, 113 per cent of its original toughness and 85.1 per cent of its original elastic stiffness. Repair of 600°C fire-damaged samples using HSM regained 18.7 per cent of its original flexural strength, 25.9 per cent of its original peak load capacity, 26.1 per cent of its original toughness and 22 per cent of its original elastic stiffness. Repair of 600°C fire-damaged samples using HSFM regained 68.4 per cent of its original flexural strength, 96.5 per cent of its original peak load capacity, 71.2 per cent of its original toughness and 52.2 per cent of its original elastic stiffness.

This research is limited to the size of the furnace. The beam specimen is limited to 500 mm of length and overall dimensions. This dimension is not practical in actual structure, hence it may cause exaggeration of deteriorating effect of heating on reinforced concrete beam.

This study may promote more investigation of using HSM as repair material for fire-damaged concrete. This will lead to real-world application and practical solution for fire-damaged structure.

The aim of this research in using HSM mostly due to the material’s high workability which will ease its application and promote quality in repair of damaged structure.

There is a dearth of research on using HSM as repair material for fire-damaged concrete. Some research has been carried out using mortar but at lower strength compared to this research.

This paper aims to characterize and develop a new ecological lightweight concrete reinforced by addition of palm plant fibers (from vegetal waste) to be used in the thermal and acoustical insulation of local constructions. The date palm plant fibers are characterized by their low sensitivity to chemical reactions, low cost and large availability in local regions. Therefore, the newly obtained lightweight concrete may suggest a great interest, as it seems to be able to achieve good solutions for local construction problems, technically, economically and ecologically.

The experimental program focused on developing the composition of palm-fiber-reinforced concrete, by studying the effect of the length of the fibers (10, 20, 30 and 40 mm) and their mass percentage (0.5%, 1%, 1.5% and 2%), on the mechanical and acoustical properties of the composite. The main measured parameters were the compressive strength and flexural strength, sound absorption coefficient, noise reduction coefficient (NRC), etc. These tests were also borne out by the measure of density and water absorption, as well as microstructure analyses. To fully appreciate the behavior of the material, visualizations under optical microscope and scanning electron microscope analyses were carried out.

The addition of plant fibers to concrete made it possible to formulate a new lightweight concrete having interesting properties. The addition of date palm fibers significantly decreased the density of the concrete and consequently reduced its mechanical strength, particularly in compression. Acceptable compressive strength values were possible, according to the fibers content, while better values have been obtained in flexion. On the other hand, good acoustical performances were obtained: a considerable increase in the sound absorption coefficient and the NRC was recorded, according to the content and length of fibers. Even the rheological behavior has been improved with the addition of fibers, but with short fibers only.

Over the recent decades, many studies have attempted to search for more sustainable and environmentally friendly building materials. Therefore, this work aims to study the possibility of using waste from date palm trees as fibers in concrete instead of the conventionally used fibers. Although many researches have already been conducted on the effect of palm plant fibers on the mechanical/physical properties of concrete, no information is available neither on the formulation of this type of concrete nor on its acoustical properties. Indeed, due to the scarcity of raw materials and the excessive consumption of energy, the trend of plant fibers as resources, which are natural and renewable, is very attractive. It is therefore a major recycling project of waste and recovery of local materials.

This paper aims to study the influence of the presence of steel and polyolefin (PO) fibers on the mechanical and durability properties of fiber and hybrid fiber-reinforced concrete (FRC and HFRC).

Hooked-end steel fibers having a length of 35 mm were applied at four different fiber content 1.0%, 1.5%, 2.0% and 2.5%, respectively. PO fibers having the length of 45 mm were also replaced with steel fibers at three different fiber content, 0.6%, 0.8% and 1.0%, to provide HFRC. The compressive, indirect tensile and flexural strengths; electrical resistivity; and water absorption were evaluated in this study.

The results showed that the addition of both steel and PO fibers led to improvements in the mechanical properties of FRC and HFRC. However, the replacement of steel fibers with PO fibers led to a slight loss in mechanical properties. Also, it was concluded that the addition of various types of fibers to concrete decreased both the electrical resistivity and water absorption compared with the control sample. Finally, distance-based approach analysis was used to select the most optimal mix designs.

According to this method, the HFRC specimen including 1.2% of steel and 0.8% of PO fibers was the most optimal mix design among all fiber-reinforced mix designs.

The construction industries at present are focusing on designing sustainable concrete with less carbon footprint. Considering this aspect, a Fibre-Reinforced Geopolymer Concrete (FGC) was developed with 8 and 10 molarities (M). At elevated temperatures, concrete experiences deterioration of its mechanical properties which is in some cases associated with spalling, leading to the building collapse.

In this study, six geopolymer-based mix proportions are prepared with crimped steel fibre (SF), polypropylene fibre (PF), basalt fibre (BF), a hybrid mixture consisting of (SF + PF), a hybrid mixture with (SF + BF), and a reference specimen (without fibres). After temperature exposure, ultrasonic pulse velocity, physical characteristics of damaged concrete, loss of compressive strength (CS), split tensile strength (TS), and flexural strength (FS) of concrete are assessed. A polynomial relationship is developed between residual strength properties of concrete, and it showed a good agreement.

The test results concluded that concrete with BF showed a lower loss in CS after 925 °C (i.e. 60 min of heating) temperature exposure. In the case of TS, and FS, the concrete with SF had lesser loss in strength. After 986 °C and 1029 °C exposure, concrete with the hybrid combination (SF + BF) showed lower strength deterioration in CS, TS, and FS as compared to concrete with PF and SF + PF. The rate of reduction in strength is similar to that of GC-BF in CS, GC-SF in TS and FS.

Performance evaluation under fire exposure is necessary for FGC. In this study, we provided the mechanical behaviour and physical properties of SF, PF, and BF-based geopolymer concrete exposed to high temperatures, which were evaluated according to ISO standards. In addition, micro-structural behaviour and linear polynomials are observed.

This study aims to conduct an experimental study and finite element model (FEM) to investigate the flexural behavior of heat-damaged beams strengthened/repaired by hybrid fiber-reinforced polymers (HFRP).

Two groups of beams of (150 × 250 × 1,200) mm were cast, strengthened and repaired using different configurations of HFRP and tested under four-point loadings. The first group was kept at room temperature, while the second group was exposed to a temperature of 400°C.

It was found that using multiple layers of carbon fiber-reinforced polymer (CFRP) and glass fiber-reinforced polymer (GFRP) enhanced the strength more than a single layer. Also, the order of two layers of FRP showed no effect on flexural behavior of beams. Using a three-layer scheme (attaching the GFRP first and followed by two layers of CFRP) exhibited increase in ultimate load more than the scheme attached by CFRP first. Furthermore, the scheme HGC (heated beam repaired with glass and carbon, in sequence) allowed to achieve residual flexural capacity of specimen exposed to 400°C. Typical flexural failure was observed in control and heat-damaged beams, whereas the strengthened/repaired beams failed by cover separation and FRP debonding, however, specimen repaired with two layers of GFRP failed by FRP rupture. The FEM results showed good agreement with experimental results.

Few researchers have studied the effects of HFRP on strengthening and repair of heated, damaged reinforced concrete (RC) beams. This paper investigates, both experimentally and analytically, the performance of externally strengthened and repaired RC beams, in flexure, with different FRP configurations of CFRP and GFRP.