AUTHOR(S):

Salah Altoubat, Haidar Alhaidary

TITLE

Experimental Study on the Restrained Shrinkage Cracking of FRC Composite Metal Decks

KEYWORDS

Macro Synthetic Fibers, Composite Slabs, Steel Deck, Restrained Shrinkage, Crack width

ABSTRACT

This paper presents the results of an experimental study that compares the performance of macro synthetic fibers and the conventional steel mesh in controlling shrinkage cracking. The experiment tested two sets of relatively large slab strips cast on corrugated steel decks as well as free shrinkage prisms tested according to ASTM C-157. Each set consisted of four slabs, S1 to S4, reinforced with a steel mesh, 2.4 kg/m3 (4lb/yd3) of fiber, 3.0 kg/m3 (5lb/yd3) of fiber, and 3.6kg/m3 (6lb/yd3) of fiber respectively. The intent was to investigate each reinforcement option for its performance as a secondary reinforcement, controlling shrinkage cracks on composite metal decks. The evaluation was based mainly on the shrinkage crack width for each specimen measured up to a period of 450 days. However free shrinkage strain results and total crack openings were also referred to. The steel mesh and the 2.4 kg/m3 (4lb/yd3) fiber dosage were chosen according to the minimum requirements for temperature and shrinkage reinforcement allowed by the ANSI-SDI-C2011. This facilitated a direct and practical comparison to examine their performance. The results showed comparable crack widths between the 2.4 kg/m3 fiber dosage and the steel mesh, demonstrating the viability of the tested fiber in restricting shrinkage cracks. However increasing the dosage to 3.0 kg/m3 (5 lb/yd3) is recommended to better control the shrinkage cracking in composite metal decks.

Cite this paper

Salah Altoubat, Haidar Alhaidary. (2016) Experimental Study on the Restrained Shrinkage Cracking of FRC Composite Metal Decks. International Journal of Theoretical and Applied Mechanics, 1, 149-154