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Assessment of fibre orientation in ultra high performance fibre reinforced concrete and its effect on flexural strength

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Abstract

Fibre distribution and orientation in a series of round panel specimens of ultra high performance fibre reinforced concrete (UHPFRC) was investigated using electrical resistivity measurements and confirmed by X-ray CT imaging. By pouring specimens in different ways, the orientation of steel fibres was influenced and the sensitivity of the electrical resistivity technique was investigated. The round panels were tested in flexure and the results are discussed in relation to the observed orientation of fibres in the panels. It was found that the fibres tended to align perpendicular to the direction of flow. As a result, panels poured from the centre were significantly stronger than panels poured by other methods because the alignment of fibres led to more fibres bridging the radial cracks formed during mechanical testing.

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Acknowledgments

The authors wish to acknowledge the financial support of the Engineering and Physical Sciences Research Council, UK (Grant number EP/D041201/1) and thank Bekaert, Elkem Materials, Fosroc International Limited, Castle Cement and Appleby Group for provision of materials. We thank Mr P. Farrell and Mr A. Topping (University of Liverpool) for their assistance with preparation of specimens and Mr C. Fox (University of Nottingham) for X-ray CT images.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Engineering, University of Liverpool, Brownlow Street, Liverpool, L69 3GQ, UK

    Stephanie J. Barnett, Steve G. Millard & Marios N. Soutsos

  2. Université Bordeaux 1, Avenue de la liberation, 33400, Talence, France

    Jean-Francois Lataste

  3. Nottingham Transportation Engineering Centre, Department of Civil Engineering, University of Nottingham, University Park, Nottingham, NG7 2RD, UK

    Tony Parry

Authors
  1. Stephanie J. Barnett
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  2. Jean-Francois Lataste
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  3. Tony Parry
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  4. Steve G. Millard
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  5. Marios N. Soutsos
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Correspondence to Stephanie J. Barnett.

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Barnett, S.J., Lataste, JF., Parry, T. et al. Assessment of fibre orientation in ultra high performance fibre reinforced concrete and its effect on flexural strength. Mater Struct 43, 1009–1023 (2010). https://doi.org/10.1617/s11527-009-9562-3

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1617/s11527-009-9562-3

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