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Predicting the flow-induced dispersion and orientation of steel fibers in self-consolidating concrete by distinct element method



Author(s): L. Ferrara, S. Shyshko, V. Mechtcherine
Paper category: Conference
Book title: 8th RILEM International Symposium on Fiber Reinforced Concrete: challenges and opportunities (BEFIB 2012)
Editor(s): Joaquim A.O. Barros
Print ISBN: 978-2-35158-132-2
e-ISBN: 978-2-35158-133-9
Publisher: RILEM Publications SARL
Pages: 918 - 930
Total Pages: 12
Language: English


Abstract: 
The addition of fibres into a cementitious matrix with adapted rheology may lead to a randomly uniform dispersion and an orientation of the fibres tailored to the specific foreseen structural application. It has been in fact shown that thanks to a well balanced set of fresh state properties of the mixture, the fibres can be orientated in the direction of the concrete flow, leading to superior mechanical properties in the same direction. The performance of the structure can thus be optimized by designing the casting process so that the direction of flow, along which fibres may be aligned, matches as close as possible with the direction of principal tensile stresses within the structural element. It will be hence possible, thanks to the selection of suitable performance in the fresh state and to an optimized “design” of the casting flow, to govern the dispersion and orientation of the fibres and hence the resulting material and structural performance. To accomplish this task, reliable numerical tools able to properly describe the behaviour of advanced fibre reinforced cementitious materials in the fresh state are required in order to optimize the casting process, also with reference to the geometry of the element, and predict the orientation of the fibres. In this paper a Distinct Element Method has been employed to simulate the dispersion and flow-induced orientation of fibres in slump flow tests performed on fibre reinforced concretes characterized by different levels of fresh state performance. Results of numerical simulation have been compared with experiments, as a first step to calibrate the approach for further modelling of real casting case studies.


Online publication: 2013
Publication Type: full_text
Public price (Euros): 0.00


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