Structures

Flexural failure modes of ribbed triangular UHPFRC plates: experimental and numerical investigation

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Abstract

Thin UHPFRC plates stiffened by reinforced ribs represent a promising use of UHPFRC as demonstrated in some outstanding applications. Optimization of the ribs reinforcement and of the UHPFRC fibre ratio, which has significant economic and technical relevance, is critically related to guaranteeing ductile failure modes of such structures and components, including effects of the scatter of local material properties and post-cracking fibre contribution. A micromechanical model based on the fibre pull-out mechanism and explicitly accounting for fibre orientation and spatial dispersion has been developed and its ability to support the structural design of ribbed reinforced UHPFRC structures is under validation. To this aim, flexural tests on ribbed triangular UHPFRC plates have been carried out at IFSTTAR Structures Laboratory, with LafargeHolcim as a partner, in a joint project with Laval University. The fibre content and the preferential fibre orientation related to casting process were varied, as well as the loading configuration, so that the possible structural redundancy could be checked. The results of these tests are described and numerically analysed in relation to the material properties derived from both molded samples and specimens sawn from companion plates.

Keywords: UHPFRC, UHPC, steel fibres, ribbed plates, fibre orientation, micromechanics

How to Cite:

Baby, F., Toutlemonde, F., Sorelli, L., Marchand, P., Bernardi, S. & Guénet, T., (2016) “Flexural failure modes of ribbed triangular UHPFRC plates: experimental and numerical investigation”, International Interactive Symposium on Ultra-High Performance Concrete 1(1). doi: https://doi.org/10.21838/uhpc.2016.80