Development of a maturity method for GFRC shell concretes with different fiber ratios

Abstract

The use of glass fiber reinforced concrete (GFRC) in the construction industry is increasing due to its mechanical and physical properties. Waiting time of concrete in the mold and the removal of the mold at the right time are important in terms of strength. In conventional concretes, maturity models are widely used as a non-destructive method for early strength estimate. In this study, it is aimed to develop an estimate model of flexural and compressive strength in GFRCs using the maturity index method. In this context, glass fiber reinforced concretes were produced at the rates of 0%, 1%, 2% and 3%. Calcined kaolin and acrylic polymer were used as modification materials in the mixtures. Properties such as compressive, flexural, hardness, and shrinkage of specimens were investigated at different ages. The maturity-strength relationships of mixtures at different ages were examined by weighted maturity and Nurse-Saul methods. At the end of the study, two new models were developed to estimate the compressive and flexural strengths of GFRCs, taking into account all the data. The suggested models have been confirmed by examining them on all mix-age groups and comparing them with the literature.

Keywords:

• Maturity method
• glass fiber
• calcined kaolin
• acrylic polymer
• estimated strength

Acknowledgment

This study was carried out within the scope of the project coded ARGE2017-9 of Fibrobeton R&D Center. Thank you to Fibrobeton Company for their support.

Disclosure statement

No potential conflict of interest was reported by the authors.