Desenvolvimento de compósitos cimentícios avançados à base de pós-reativos com misturas híbridas de fibras e reduzido impacto ambiental

Abstract

The development of new concretes is being expanded over the years, withal the improvements in structural design, along the increased knowledge of materials properties, which leads the designers to develop structures with specific requirements. It arises the need of the development of special concretes, with have enhanced mechanical strength and durability. Reactive powder concrete, also called RPC, is an example of these materials. This is an ultra-high-performance concrete with high mechanical strength, extremely ductile and low porosity. This type of concrete has superior mechanical properties compared to high strength concrete, reaching compressive strengths of 200 MPa, tensile strengths of 45 MPa and modulus higher than 50 GPa. The cement consumption in this type of concrete may reach 800 kg/m3, while incorporating high volumes of silica fume. The optimization of granular constituents accomplished by particle packing methods provides a material with a minimum of voids and also high density. The fiber introduced into the material compound provides high ductility. On this report, fly ash was used to replace some part of the cement, aiming the development of a RPC with low agglomerate consumption. It was also studied the use of two types of fiber, or hybridization, to a RPC matrix array of CPR with less consumption of cement. The introduction of two distinct types of fibers gives the material improved synergy, decreasing the formation and propagation of cracks during the charging. The results obtained in this study show that the partial replacement of cement by fly ash gives better mechanical performance, reaching the compressive strength of approximately 190 MPa with 30% addition. The incorporation of two different types of fibers, steel and polypropylene at levels of 80% and 20% respectively, provided the materials high tensile strength and toughness. Therefore, it is possible to compose an RPC with lower cement consumption and use of two types of fibers, improving the properties of the mixture and obtaining a composite with reduced environmental impact.