Dynamic Characterization Assessment and Optimization of Reactive Powder Underwater Concrete

Abstract

This study investigates the dynamic properties of Reactive Powder Underwater Concrete (RPUWC), a novel composite integrating attributes of Reactive Powder Concrete and underwater cast concrete. The study focuses on assessing the impact resistance, dynamic modulus of elasticity, rigidity, and Poisson's ratio. The influence of micro steel fibers (MS) at different volume fractions (1%, 1.25%, and 1.5%) and different anti-washout admixture (AWA) dosages (0.5 %, 0.7%, and 0.9%) are examined. The findings indicate that increasing the MS content improves crack resistance and energy absorption, resulting in a substantial 155.6% enhancement in the first crack resistance when using 1.5% MS. Additionally, ultimate resistance improves by 158%. Furthermore, there are significant increases in the dynamic and modulus of rigidity as the MS percentage rises. The impact of AWA is rather limited, with a reduction in the dynamic modulus of 18.3% for 0.7% AWA and 30% for 0.9% AWA. Likewise, the modulus of rigidity decreases by 13% for 0.7% AWA and 23.9% for 0.9% AWA. Moreover, strong positive correlations between non-destructive testing (NDT) and ASTM C 215 equations are observed. This investigation addresses a significant knowledge gap, shedding light on optimizing underwater structures' performance by comprehending their dynamic response under varied MS and AWA ratios.