Self-Consolidating High-Performance SFRC: An Example of Structural Application in Italy

This paper discusses how the addition of fibers into a self-consolidating concrete (SCC) matrix can take advantage of the superior fresh state performance to achieve homogeneous dispersion of the discontinuous wirelike reinforcement. Such a positive synergy between SCC and fiber reinforced concrete (FRC) technologies is of paramount importance to promote reliable structural applications. It has been shown that, through a well balanced set of fresh state properties of the mix, fibers can be effectively oriented along the direction of the fresh concrete flow. Superior mechanical performance of the material is obtained in the same direction. A “tailored” orientation of the fibers may be pursued to obtain a deflection-, or even a strain-hardening, behavior that may be required by the specific application. With reference to a project on going in Italy, this paper details the steps of a “holistic” approach to the design of Self Consolidating High Performance Fiber Reinforced Concrete (SCHPFRC) elements. In this framework both the mix composition and the casting process are designed to the anticipated performance of the structural element, in the sight of an optimized material and structural efficiency. This would allow for the pursuit of desirable closer correspondence between the shape of an element and the function it performs in a structure assembly. A suitably balanced fresh-state performance of the fiber reinforced cementitious composite would allow to “mold” the shape of an element and to orient the fibers along the direction of the principal tensile stresses resulting from its structural function.