Browsing by Author "Maritz, Jaco-Louis"

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    An investigation into the use of low volume - fibre reinforced concrete for controlling plastic shrinkage cracking
    (Stellenbosch : Stellenbosch University, 2012-03) Maritz, Jaco-Louis; Boshoff, William Peter; Stellenbosch University. Faculty of Engineering. Dept. of Civil Engineering.
    ENGLISH ABSTRACT: Plastic shrinkage cracking (PSC) in concrete is a well-known problem and usually occurs within the first few hours after the concrete has been cast. It is caused by a rapid loss of water from the concrete, either from the surface through evaporation or through absorption by dry subgrade or formwork in contact with the concrete and results in an overall reduction in concrete volume. If this volume reduction or shrinkage is restrained, plastic shrinkage cracks can occur. Plastic shrinkage cracks create an unsightly appearance on the concrete surface which reduces the quality of the concrete structure. These cracks also develop weak points in the concrete which can be widened and deepened later on by drying shrinkage and thermal movement. As a result harmful substances may enter the cracks causing accelerated concrete deterioration. These cracks may also expose the steel reinforcement causing it to corrode more aggressively. Consequently, the aesthetic value, serviceability, durability and overall performance of the concrete will be reduced. Therefore it is important to consider methods of limiting PSC. One of these methods is the addition of low volumes of polymeric fibres to concrete to reduce PSC. However, the application of this low volume fibre reinforced concrete (LV-FRC) is not clearly understood since there is a lack of knowledge and guidance available for the use of LV-FRC. The objective of this study is to gain a full understanding of PSC behaviour in conventional concrete and LV-FRC by investigating the effects of evaporation and bleeding as well as the effect of various fibre properties on PSC. The following significant findings were attained: A basis for a crack prediction model in conventional concrete was developed using the average differences in cumulative evaporation and cumulative bleeding to create a crack prediction value (CPV). This preliminary model showed that there exists a certain CPV range (-0.2 to 0.4 kg/m2 for this study) where a slight decrease in the CPV results in a significant PSC reduction. It also showed that if the CPV falls outside this range, varying the bleeding or evaporation conditions will have very little effect on the PSC. A study on the fibre properties in LV-FRC showed that there exist certain limits to the fibre volume, length and diameter where a further increase or decrease in value will have no or little effect on reducing PSC. It also showed that the effect of the fibres depend on the level of severity of PSC. The knowledge gained from this investigation can serve as a basis for the design of a model that can predict the risk of PSC in conventional concrete and specify preventative measures needed to reduce this risk. It also provides information that can be used to develop guidelines for the effective use of LV-FRC.