Experimental study and calculation of laterally-prestressed confined concrete columns

Mahdi Nematzadeh,Saeed Fazli,Iman Hajirasouliha 국제구조공학회 2017 Steel and Composite Structures, An International J Vol.23 No.5

In this paper, the effect of active confinement on the compressive behaviour of circular steel tube-confined concrete (STCC) and concrete-filled steel tube (CFST) columns is investigated. In STCC columns the axial load is only applied to the concrete core, while in CFST columns the load is carried by the whole composite section. A new method introduced to apply confining pressure on fresh concrete by laterally prestressing steel tubes. In order to achieve different prestressing levels, shortterm and long-term pressures are applied to the fresh concrete. Three groups of STCC and CFST specimens (passive, S-active and L-active groups) are tested under axial loads. The results including stress-strain relationships of composite column components, secant modulus of elasticity, and volumetric strain are presented and discussed. Based on the elastic-plastic theory, the behaviour of the steel tube is also analyzed during elastic, yielding, and strain hardening stages. The results show that using the proposed prestressing method can considerably improve the compressive behaviour of both STCC and CFST specimens, while increasing the prestressing level has insignificant effects. By applying prestressing, the linear range in the stress-strain curve of STCC specimens increases by almost twice as much, while the improvement is negligible in CFST specimens.

Estimating properties of reactive powder concrete containing hybrid fibers using UPV

Mahdi Nematzadeh,Reza Poorhosein 사단법인 한국계산역학회 2017 Computers and Concrete, An International Journal Vol.20 No.4

In this research, the application of ultrasonic pulse velocity (UPV) test as a nondestructive method for estimating some of the mechanical and dynamic properties of reactive powder concrete (RPC) containing steel and polyvinyl alcohol (PVA) fibers, as well as their combination was explored. In doing so, ten different mix designs were prepared in 19 experimental groups of specimens containing three different volume contents of steel fibers (i.e., 1, 2, and 3 %) and PVA fibers (i.e., 0.25, 0.5, and 0.75 %), as well as hybrid fibers (i.e., 0.25-0.75, 0.5-0.5, and 0.75-0.25 %). The specimens in these groups were prepared under the two curing regimes of normal and heat treatment. Moreover, the UPV test results were employed to estimate the compressive strength, dynamic modulus, shear modulus, and Poisson’s ratio of the RPC concrete and to investigate the quality level of the used concrete. At the end, the effect of the specimen shape and in fact the measuring distance length on the UPV results was explored. The results of this research suggest that the steel fiber-containing RPC specimens demonstrate the highest level of ultrasonic pulse velocity as well as the highest values of the mechanical and dynamic properties. Moreover, heat treatment has a positive effect on the density, UPV, dynamic modulus, Poisson’s ratio, and compressive strength of the RPC specimens, whereas it leads to a negligible increase or decrease in the shear modulus and static modulus of elasticity. Furthermore, the specimen shape affects the UPV of fiber-lacking specimens while negligibly affecting that of fiber-reinforced specimens.

Effectiveness of fibers and binders in high-strength concrete under chemical corrosion

Mahdi Nematzadeh,Saber Fallah-Valukolaee 국제구조공학회 2017 Structural Engineering and Mechanics, An Int'l Jou Vol.64 No.2

Investigating the properties and durability of high-strength concrete exposed to sulfuric acid attack for the purpose of its application in structures exposed to this acid is of outmost importance. In this research, the resistance and durability of highstrength concrete containing macro-polymeric or steel fibers together with the pozzolans of silica fume or nano-silica against sulfuric acid attack are explored. To accomplish this goal, in total, 108 high-strength concrete specimens were made with 9 different mix designs containing macro-polymeric and steel fibers at the volume fractions of 0.5, 0.75, and 1.0%, as well as the pozzolans of silica fume and nano-silica with the replacement levels of 10 and 2%, respectively. After placing the specimens inside a 5% sulfuric acid solution in the periods of 7, 21, and 63 days of immersion, the effect of adding the fibers and pozzolans on the compressive properties, ultrasonic pulse velocity (UPV), and weight loss of high-strength concrete was investigated and the respective results were compared with those of the reference specimens. The obtained results suggest the dependency of the resistance and durability loss of high-strength concrete against sulfuric acid attack to the properties of fibers as well as their fraction in concrete volume. Moreover, compared with using nano-silica, using silica fume in the fibrous concrete mix leads to more durable specimens against sulfuric acid attack. Finally, an optimum solution for the design parameters where the crushing load of high-strength fibrous concrete is maximized was found using response surface method (RSM).

Effect of pozzolans on mechanical behavior of recycled refractory brick concrete in fire

Mahdi Nematzadeh,Ardalan Baradaran-Nasiri,Mehdi Hosseini 국제구조공학회 2019 Structural Engineering and Mechanics, An Int'l Jou Vol.72 No.3

Reusing building materials and concrete of old buildings can be a promising strategy for sustained development. In buildings, the performance of materials under elevated temperatures is of particular interest for determining fire resistance. In this study, the effect of pozzolan and aggregate type on properties of concrete exposed to fire was investigated. In doing so, nanosilica with cement-replacement levels of 0, 2, and 4% as well as silica fume and ultrafine fly ash with cement-replacement levels of 0, 7.5, and 15% were used to study effect of pozzolan type, and recycled refractory brick (RRB) fine aggregate replacing natural fine aggregate by 0 and 100% was utilized to explore effect of aggregate type. A total of 126 cubic concrete specimens were manufactured and then investigated in terms of compressive strength, ultrasonic pulse velocity, and weight loss at 23°C and immediately after exposure to 400 and 800°C. Results show that replacing 100% of natural fine aggregate with recycled refectory brick fine aggregate in the concretes exposed to heat was desirable, in that it led to a mean compressive strength increase of above 25% at 800°C. In general, among the pozzolans used here, silica fume demonstrated the best performance in terms of retaining the compressive strength of heated concretes. The higher replacement level of silica fume and ultrafine fly ash pozzolans in the mixes containing RRB fine aggregate led to a greater weight loss rate, while the higher replacement level of nanosilica reduced the weight loss rate.

Effect of axial loading conditions and confinement type on concrete-steel composite behavior

Mahdi Nematzadeh,Saeed Fazli 사단법인 한국계산역학회 2020 Computers and Concrete, An International Journal Vol.25 No.2

This paper aims to analytically study the effect of loading conditions and confinement type on the mechanical properties of the concrete-steel composite columns under axial compressive loading. The axial loading is applied to the composite columns in the two ways; only on the concrete core, and on the concrete core and steel tube simultaneously, which are called steel tube-confined concrete (STCC) and concrete-filled steel tube (CFST) columns, respectively. In addition, the confinement is investigated in the three types of passive, short-term active and long-term active confinement. Nonlinear finite element 3D models for analyzing these columns are developed using the ABAQUS program, and then these models are verified with respect to the recent experimental results reported by the authors on the STCC and CFST columns experiencing active and passive confinements. Axial and lateral stress-strain curves as well as the failure mode for qualitative verification, and compressive strength for quantitative verification are considered. It is found that there is a good consistency between the finite element analysis results and the experimental ones. In addition, a parametric study is performed to evaluate the effect of axial loading type, prestressing ratio, concrete compressive strength and steel tube diameter-to-wall thickness ratio on the compressive behavior of the composite columns. Finally, the compressive strength results of CFST specimens obtained via the finite element analysis are compared with the values specified by the international codes and standards including EC4, CSA, ACI-318, and AISC, with the results showing that ACI-318 and AISC underestimate the compressive strength of the composite columns, while EC4 and CSA codes present overestimated values.

Mechanical performance of fiber-reinforced recycled refractory brick concrete exposed to elevated temperatures

Mahdi Nematzadeh,Ardalan Baradaran-Nasiri 사단법인 한국계산역학회 2019 Computers and Concrete, An International Journal Vol.24 No.1

In this paper, the effect of the type and amount of fibers on the physicomechanical properties of concrete containing fine recycled refractory brick (RRB) and natural aggregate subjected to elevated temperatures was investigated. For this purpose, forta-ferro (FF), polypropylene (PP), and polyvinyl alcohol (PVA) fibers with the volume fractions of 0, 0.25, and 0.5%, as well as steel fibers with the volume fractions of 0, 0.75, and 1.5% were used in the concrete containing RRB fine aggregate replacing natural sand by 0 and 100%. In total, 162 concrete specimens from 18 different mix designs were prepared and tested in the temperature groups of 23, 400, and 800°C. After experiencing heat, the concrete properties including the compressive strength, ultrasonic pulse velocity (UPV), weight loss, and surface appearance were evaluated and compared with the corresponding results of the reference (unheated) specimens. The results show that using RRB fine aggregate replacing natural fine aggregate by 100% led to an increase in the concrete compressive strength in almost all the mixes, and only in the PVA-containing mixes a decrease in strength was observed. Furthermore, UPV values at 800°C for all the concrete mixes containing RRB fine aggregate were above those of the natural aggregate concrete specimens. Finally, regarding the compressive strength and UPV results, steel fibers demonstrated a better performance relative to other fiber types.

Analysis of actively-confined concrete columns using prestressed steel tubes

Mahdi Nematzadeh,Akbar Haghinejad 사단법인 한국계산역학회 2017 Computers and Concrete, An International Journal Vol.19 No.5

In this paper, an innovative technique for finite element (FE) modeling of steel tube-confined concrete (STCC) columns with active confinement under axial compressive loading is presented. In this method, a new constitutive model for the stress-strain relationship of actively-confined concrete is proposed. In total, 14 series of experimental STCC stub columns having active confinement were modeled using the ABAQUS software. The results obtained from the 3D model including the compressive strength at the initial peak point and failure point, as well as the axial and lateral stress-strain curves were compared with the experimental results to verify the accuracy of the 3D model. It was found that there existed a good agreement between them. A parametric study was conducted to investigate the effect of the concrete compressive strength, steel tube wall thickness, and pre-stressing level on the behavior of STCC columns with active confinement. The results indicated that increasing the concrete core’s compressive strength leads to an increase in the compressive strength of the active composite column as well as its earlier failure. Furthermore, a reduction in the tube external diameter-to-wall thickness ratio affects the axial stress-strain curve and the confining pressure, while increasing the pre-stressing level has a negligible effect on the two.

The effect of active and passive confining pressure on compressive behavior of STCC and CFST

Nematzadeh, Mahdi,Fazli, Saeed Techno-Press 2020 Advances in concrete construction Vol.9 No.2

In this paper, an experimental study was conducted on the compressive behavior of steel tube confined concrete (STCC) and concrete-filled steel tube (CFST) columns with active and passive confinement. To create active confinement in the STCC and CFST specimens, an innovative method was used in this study, in which by applying pressure on the fresh concrete, the steel tube was laterally pretensioned and the concrete core was compressed simultaneously. Of the benefits of this technique are improving the composite column behavior, without the use of additives and without the need for vibration, and achieving high prestressing levels. To achieve lower and higher prestressing levels, short and long term pressures were applied to the specimens, respectively. Nineteen STCC and CFST specimens in three groups of passive, short-term active, and long-term active confinement were subjected to axial compression, and their mechanical properties including the compressive strength, modulus of elasticity and axial strain were evaluated. The results showed that the proposed method of prestressing the STCC columns led to a significant increase in the compressive strength (about 60%), initial modulus of elasticity (about 130%) as well as a significant reduction in the axial strain (about 45%). In the CFST columns, the prestressing led to a considerable increase in the compressive strength, a small effect on the initial and secant modulus of elasticity and an increase in the axial strain (about 55%). Moreover, increased prestressing levels negligibly affected the compressive strength of STCCs and CFSTs but slightly increased the elastic modulus of STCCs and significantly decreased that of CFSTs.

Compressive behaviour of circular steel tube-confined concrete stub columns with active and passive confinement

Mahdi Nematzadeh,Iman Hajirasouliha,Akbar Haghinejad,Morteza Naghipour 국제구조공학회 2017 Steel and Composite Structures, An International J Vol.24 No.3

This paper presents the results of a comprehensive experimental investigation on the compressive behaviour of steel tube-confined concrete (STCC) stub columns with active and passive confinement. To create active confinement in STCC columns, an innovative technique is used in which steel tube is laterally pre-tensioned while the concrete core is simultaneously pre-compressed by applying pressure on fresh concrete. A total of 135 STCC specimens with active and passive confinement are tested under axial compression load and their compressive strength, ultimate strain capacity, axial and lateral stress.strain curves and failure mode are evaluated. The test variables include concrete compressive strength, outer diameter to wall thickness ratio of steel tube and prestressing level. It is shown that applying active confinement on STCC specimens can considerably improve their mechanical properties. However, applying higher prestressing levels and keeping the applied pressure for a long time do not considerably affect the mechanical properties of actively confined specimens. Based on the results of this study, new empirical equations are proposed to estimate the axial strength and ultimate strain capacity of STCC stub columns with active and passive confinement.

Evaluation of interfacial shear stress in active steel tube-confined concrete columns

Mahdi Nematzadeh,Jaber Ghadami 사단법인 한국계산역학회 2017 Computers and Concrete, An International Journal Vol.20 No.4

This paper aims to analytically investigate the effect of shear stress at the concrete-steel interface on the mechanical behavior of the circular steel tube-confined concrete (STCC) stub columns with active and passive confinement subjected to axial compression. Nonlinear 3D finite element models divided into the four groups, i.e. circumferential-grooved, talc-coated, lubricated, and normal groups, with active and passive confinement were developed. An innovative method was used to simulate the actively-confined specimens, and then, the results of the finite element models were compared with those of the experiments previously conducted by the authors. It was revealed that both the predicted peak compressive strength and stress-strain curves have good agreement with the corresponding values measured for the confined columns. Then, the mechanical properties of the active and passive specimens such as the concrete-steel interaction, longitudinal and hoop stresses of the steel tube, confining pressure applied to the concrete core, and compressive stress-strain curves were analyzed. Furthermore, a parametric study was performed to explore the effects of the concrete compressive strength, steel tube diameter-to-wall thickness ratio, and prestressing level on the compressive behavior of the STCC columns. The results indicate that reducing or removing the interfacial shear stress in the active and passive specimens leads to an increase in the hoop stress and confining pressure, while the longitudinal stress along the steel tube height experiences a decrease. Moreover, prestressing via the presented method is capable of improving the compressive behavior of STCC columns.