Tensile creep of cement and concrete composites: Monitoring by means of 2D-digital image correlation

Creep and shrinkage of Cement and Concrete Composites (CCC) are significant properties that need to be considered to use these materials in practice. Many previous scientific studies re-vealed CCC creep characteristics under sustained compression and shrinkage, using traditional test methods from design standards. Because of the complexity of experimental procedures, CCC creep in tension has not been studied as close. Furthermore, there is no unified standard that proposes applicable testing methods or specific testing apparatus. This study examines the suitability of 2D— Digital Image Correlation (DIC) to observe the creep deformations of specimens under tension. Or-dinary Portland cement (OPC) mortar with 1% polyvinyl alcohol (PVA) fibres has been investigated in the research. Compact tension (CT) specimens 150 × 150 × 12 mm (with a notch) were used. Creep deformations under sustained uniaxial tension (applied loading corresponding to 60% of the ultimate strength) were measured. DIC images were captured using an entry/mid-level DSLR camera. Results show that DIC is suitable for studying uniaxial tensile creep of cement and concrete com-posites. Deformation of specimens in tension was similar to that measured using the conventional method (using surface-attached gauges)

Analysis of Strain State and Cracking of Cocnrete Sleepers

Prestressed concrete sleepers are the most common type of the sleepers used on the railroad. They serve as rail supports and absorb loads induced by trains. Sleepers are important for the durability and safety of the railroad and are exposed to various loads and an agressive environment during exploitation. Therefore, different types of appearing damage can determine their reliability. The article briefly discusses possible causes of damage and the deterioration of prestressed concrete sleepers. End cracking and damage at the rail seat was determined during the inspection of used sleepers. Therefore, the strain state and cracking of the rail seat of the sleeper was analysed under static and dynamic loads. The paper provides the obtained results of experimental research of used and new sleepers

ANALYSIS OF FAILURE CONDITIONS FOR A DYNAMICALLY LOADED COMPOSITE FLOOR SYSTEM OF AN INDUSTRIAL BUILDING

Results of examination and analysis of cracks formation in a composite slab floor in an industrial warehouse hall is presented in the paper. During exploitation of the floor, on which lift trucks and presses worked, a lot of deep cracks occurred in the slab. In order to define characteristics of cracks and properties of concrete there were made different NDT examinations. Measurements of vibrations due to work of presses were also realized with aim to evaluate their possible influence on cracks formation. Static, dynamic and strength structural calculations were also made based on the model of continuous, multi-bay plate. They showed that applied slab reinforcement was sufficient and acting loads did not have to cause cracks. After 3D modelling of the building and taking into consideration the flexibility of main steel beams it was gained that in the RC floor slab over supports bending moments could occur nearly three times greater than calculated from the 2D model. Taking into consideration wrong structural model of the building led to over-loading of the floor slab, its cracking and caused a necessity of its strengthening

Analysis of the Behaviour of Composite Steel and Steel Fiber Reinforced Concrete Slabs

<p>There was a pending influence of steel fiber on the strength and stiffness of composite steel–concrete slabs under statical short–time load. Steel profiled sheeting and steel fiber reinforced concrete were used for specimens. Four composite slabs were made. Experimental investigations into the behaviour and influence of steel fiber reinforced concrete in composite slabs were conducted. Transverse, longitudinal, shear deformation and deflection of the slab were measured. <br />The results indicated that the use of steel fiber in composite slabs was effective: strength was 20–24 % higher and the meanings of deflections under the action of the bending moment were 0,6<em>M_R</em> (where <em>M_R</em> is the bending moment at failure of the slabs) and were 16–18 % lower for slabs with usual concrete. </p><div class="nav_keywords"><p>Article in Lithuanian</p></div