Impact Resistance of Functionally Layered Two-Stage Fibrous Concrete

The impact resistance of functionally layered two-stage fibrous concrete (FLTSFC) prepared using the cement grout injection technique was examined in this study. The impact resistance of turtle shells served as the inspiration for the development of FLTSFC. Steel and polypropylene fibres are used in more significant quantities than usual in the outer layers of FLTSFC, resulting in significantly improved impact resistance. An experiment was carried out simultaneously to assess the efficacy of one-layered and two-layered concrete to assess the effectiveness of three-layered FLTSFC. When performing the drop-mass test ACI 544, a modified version of the impact test was suggested to reduce the scattered results. Instead of a solid cylindrical specimen with no notch, a line-notched specimen was used instead. This improvement allows for the pre-definition of a fracture route and the reduction of the scattering of results. The testing criteria used in the experiments were impact numbers associated to first crack and failure, mode of failure, and ductility index. The coefficient of variation of the ACI impact test was lowered due to the proposed change, indicating that the scattering of results was substantially reduced. This research contributes to the idea of developing enhanced, more impact-resistant fibre composites for use in possible protective structures in the future.

Modified Falling Mass Impact Test Performance on Functionally Graded Two Stage Aggregate Fibrous Concrete

This research examined the performance of functionally graded two-stage fibrous concrete (FTSFC) against modified repeated falling-mass impacts. This study led to the concept of creating improved multiphysics model of fibre composites with better impact resistance for potential protective constructions. FTSFC was developed based on the bio-inspiring strength of turtle shells. The excellent impact resistance of FTSFC was accomplished by including a larger quantity of steel and polypropylene fibres in the outer layers. At the same time, one- and two-layered concrete were cast and compared to evaluate the efficiency of three-layered FTSFC. To minimize the dispersed test results, a modified form of the 544 drop-mass impact test was recommended by the American Concrete Institute (ACI). The modification was a knife-edge notched specimen instead of a solid cylindrical specimen without a notch. This modification predefined a crack path and reduced the dispersion of results. Cracking and failure impact numbers, ductility index, and failure mode were the testing criteria. The suggested modification to the ACI impact test decreased the coefficient of variance, showing that the dispersion of test results was reduced significantly. This study led to the concept of creating improved, fibre composites with better impact resistance for potential protective constructions.

Strength Analysis of a Two-Layer PETF-Concrete Column with Allowance for Contact Interaction between Layers

This article develops an idea of mechanical recycling of polymer wastes. Unlike previous research studies, which are dedicated to the study of the physical and mechanical properties of fibrous concrete and the technology of its manufacturing, this work considers a specific construction product—laminated concrete column made of recycled polyethylene terephthalate (PETF). Currently, there are no policy documents (standards or codes) regarding the engineering design of such constructions. Therefore, the authors’ attention is focused on mechanical and mathematical modeling of the laminated column behavior under operational load. An analytical study of two-layer PETF-concrete column’s stress-strain state was performed, taking into account the contact interaction between inhomogeneous layers of the materials. It has been determined that, in certain circumstances, the contact pressure between the layers can have a significant effect on the load-bearing capacity of the column. In general, a method of engineering assessment of laminated columns’ load-bearing capacity was developed.