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D. Zealakshmi ¹, A. Ravichandran ¹, S. Kothandaraman ¹

Affiliations
1 Department of Civil Engineering, Christ College of Engineering Technology, Pondicherry University, Kalapet - 605009, Pondicherry, IN

Abstract

Objectives: This paper presents an outcome of an experimental study to analyse the flexural behavior of confined hybrid fibre high strength over-reinforced concrete with varying volume fraction of steel and polypropylene fibre and to predict the performance using Artificial neural network model. Methods: 13 over-reinforced beams were casted with the size 120mm×200mm×1200mm. Out of this one beam was kept as reference (without fibre) and remaining 12 beams are casted with hybrid fibres with different proportion such as Steel 100%/Polypropylene 0%, Steel 80%/Polypropylene 20% and Steel 60%/Polypropylene 40%. Purposefully all the beams are made as an over-reinforced section in order to ensure the ductile behavior. An Artificial Neural Network has been created to predict the output parameters of the process. Findings: Beam specimens were tested as per ASTM and the deflection were measure for the consecutive loads using dial gauges fixed over the beam. The experimental results revealed that hybrid fiber with volume fraction 2% (Steel 80% - polyolefin 20%) permutation sample develops the flexural performance substantially associated with that of reference beam and steel fiber reinforced high strength concrete beam. Improvements: Use of this fiber reinforced concrete with the confined manner improved the ductile behavior and the energy absorption capacity even if it is an over-reinforced beam. Many networks are developed by trial and error method were in Radial Basis Network is found to have good performance than other network created (Back propagation Network). Artificial neural network has the stuff called ability which approximately resembles to their skill to model any given function. Artificial neural network software is proficient of learning and simplifying from illustrations and familiarities, which makes this network becoming an influential tool to solve many complicated problems in the civil engineering projects. In accordance with that a proposed model are very effective in predicting the performances with a greater accuracy.

Keywords

Artificial Neural Network, Confinement, High Strength Concrete, Steel Fibre.

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D. Zealakshmi ¹, A. Ravichandran ², S. Kothandaraman ³

Affiliations
1 Department of Civil Engineering, Christ College of Engineering Technology, Pondicherry University, Kalapet Pondicherry - 605014, IN
2 Christ College of Engineering and Technology, Pitchaveeranpet, Radhakrishnan Nagar, Moolakulam, Pondicherry - 605010, Puducherry, IN
3 Pondicherry Engineering College, ECR Road and VSR Street, Pillaichavadi, Pondicherr - 605014, Pondicherry, IN

Abstract

Objectives: The prime objective of this research is to incorporate the Steel and Polypropylene fibre with varying volume fractions only at the critical sections along with stirrup confinement to improve the flexural behavior and ductility of a high strength concrete beam. Methods: 13 beams of sized 120mm×200mm×2100mm were designed as an overreinforced section by providing higher percentage of steel more than balanced state. Out of 13 beams one beam was kept as a reference beam without fibre reinforcement, four beams were designed with steel fibre and the remaining with hybrid fibres. Except for reference beam all the other beams were placed with fibers at the plastic hinging region. Findings: As per ASTM C 78 all the beams are tested under third point loading and deflections were measured at the respective places using dial gauges. Based on the outcomes from the experimental work, the moment and curvature readings were calculated finally it was concluded that beam improves the Flexural behavior, Load carrying capacity of the beam and behaves as a ductile manner though the beam is an over-reinforced section. Applications: Most of the design codes demand only the ductile failure of the beams which is the major drawback of the over-reinforced concrete. Probably these beams are utilized in the modern construction practices having slender structures with adequate stiffness. Moreover, it’s a proven fact that, a confined concrete definitely increases the strength and ductile behavior of RC beams.

Keywords

Confinement, Flexural Behavior, High Strength Concrete, Steel Fibre

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