Assessment of Ultra High-Performance Fibre Reinforced

Concrete Using Non-Destructive Testings

Abstract. Ultra High-Performance Fibre Reinforced Concrete (UHPFRC) is gaining popularity in structural
industries due to its outstanding mechanical properties. High durability and superior strength able to boost the
workability and prolonged the life cycle of particular infrastructures. However, this component also prone to
degradation due to external factors. Thus, non-destructive testing (NDT) is necessary in examining the
production process of UHPFRC. Besides, the mechanical characteristics of existing structures are required to be
evaluated using NDT methods due to high reliability and less time consuming.

INTRODUCTION

Rapid development of various infrastructures is the impact from the economy growth. However, these
structures which mostly made from reinforced concrete (RC) are exposed to various factors which lead to severe
degradation. These factors include harsh conditions or extreme climate changes and freeze-thaw cycles.
Deterioration of infrastructure structures have become major problem faced by civil engineer as people lives are
at high risk. Thus, extensive researches have been performed in discovering cost saving repair methods in
prolong the workability of RCS.
Advancement in concrete technology lead to the discovery of Ultra High-Performance Fibre Reinforced
Concrete (UHPFRC). Basically, UHPFRC is the product from process of combining two different material;
fibres and high strength concrete which result in major enhancement of strength, durability and boost
productivity compared to conventional concrete [1]. All of the advancements achieved is related to several
factors such as reduction of certain volume for water and aggregates as well as employment of high grade silica
fume and steel fibres [2]. Differences between conventional concrete and UHPFRC is through the size of
aggregate used. Nano sized aggregate grain used in UHPFRS caused the arrangement of the materials to be
closed and packed together. Meanwhile, water is replaced with huge amount of superplasticizer which enhance
the binding force between the combined materials and boost the workability [3]. Advancement of mechanical
properties of UHPFRC in terms of durability and tensile strength enable this material to be used widely in
structural components.
 Previously, mechanical properties of UHPFRC are tested using conventional ways. Recently, more reliable
method which is non-destructive testing (NDT) is involved in examining the mechanical properties of UHPFRC.
Advantages of using non-destructive testing is test specimens are unnecessary in determining the quality of related
concrete structures. In addition, indirect inspection performed on the concrete able to evaluate the structures
condition [4]. Hence, structural damages can be identified and reduced during the inspection. Moreover, NDT
methods are popular due to their simple procedures and requires less time to inspect.
One of popular NDT method in examining the elastic characteristics of concrete is ultrasonic pulse velocity
(UPV). Besides, this method able to identify the any defects or cracks on the concrete structure along with the
concrete density. Hassan and Jones [5] studied the Poisson’s ratio and modulus of elasticity of UHPFRC using
UPV technique. They managed to verify the accuracy of the technique in identifying the elastic characteristics of
the concrete with error value of <10%. Authors also mentioned that UPV method was suitable to assess the
UHPFRC elasticity properties either on site or in laboratory. Meanwhile, Yoo et al. [6], examined the mechanical
characteristics (tensile, shrinkage and et al.) of UHPFRC at early stage using UPV method. At the end of the
experiment, the authors stated that UPV readings synchronised with other parameters values. This indicates that
UPV method is reliable in providing accurate result.
The tensile strength assessment as well as the content and orientation of fibre in the UHPFRC is performed
using magnetic technique. In 2016, Nunes et al. [7] investigated the suitable method in performing quality control
assessment for both in site and laboratory. Magnetic probe was placed on the UHPFRC and the accuracy of the
readings were verified using equations developed. The reliability of magnetic method was further investigated by
Shen and Brühwiler [8]. They used magnetic probe in inspecting the distribution of the fibre. This NDT approach
enabled to provide contour mapping of that exact distribution of fibre in the UHPFRC material. Authors
highlighted that magnetic testing was reliable and could replace conventional approach which was fracture testing.
The purpose of this study is to provide the overview of related NDT performed in determining the mechanical
properties of UHPFRC.

METHODOLOGY

Compressive Strength and Modulus of Elasticity

Ultrasonic testing (UT) able to identify the compressive strength as well as modulus of elasticity of the
UHPFRC. Besides, Poisson’s ratio value or deformation of the specimen due to strain is also determined using
this method. This approach provided various waves propagation when two pairs of transducers are placed on the
specimen surface. Normally, the transducers with different magnitude of frequency are placed on the center of
smooth surface of the specimen. Waves propagation produced could be referred in Fig. 1.
Basically, the waves propagated from two different directions which are radial and axial. Radial direction
produces surface waves P, S and R meanwhile, axial direction produces plate waves P and S. Surface wave R
indicates high amplitude and low velocity contradict with surface wave P which refer to low amplitude and high
velocity. These procedures are repeated at constant time interval.
 Figure 1: Propagation of waves due to indirect transmission of compression transducers [5]

Readings obtain from this testing is summarized in line graph where X-axis represents the time while Y-axis
represents the distance between transducers. From the graph, the surface wave velocity, V r and compression wave
velocity Vp,s are identified. Next, Poisson’s ratio value is determine using Eq. 1. However, this method is limited
to laboratory testing only.

𝑉𝑝,𝑠 (1 + 𝑣𝑢 ) 2(1 − 𝑣𝑢 )
= √
𝑉𝑟 (0.87 + 1.12𝑣𝑢 ) (1 − 𝑣𝑢 ) (1)

Fibre Content and Orientation

Tensile strength of UHPFRC is highly dependent on the fibre content and orientation. Hence, magnetic testing
using probe is used in order to examine and identify the fibre content and orientation in UHPFRC. For this case,
a U-shaped ferrite core magnetic probe with total turns of N = 340 on both legs is used. Details regarding the
probe is shown in Fig.1. First, the slab surfaces are clean to remove any uneven part. The probe is then placed at
the center of the slab with measurement (X = 25 mm, Y = 30 mm) according to the size of the probe in order to
obtain inductance measurements.

Figure 2: Magnetic probe (a) actual image (b) schematic diagram of magnetic probe place on specimen surface [7]

Benefits of using this technique is that this technique able to provide us with the precise contour images for
the fibre content and orientation of the UHPFRS (refer Fig 3 and 4). Not to mention, this method also able to
identify the cracks happening on the slabs. Besides, it provides similar pattern of cracks with the actual slabs as
shown in Fig. 5.
 Figure 3: Contour mapping of the fibre content [8]

Figure 4: Contour mapping for the fibre orientation [8]

Figure 5: Contour mapping of the discrete softening cracks [8]

Figure 6: Location of cracks on actual specimens [8]

 Besides previous method, another reliable approach in detecting any defects mechanism in the fibre of
UHPFRC is using radiography testing. This technique can be applied both for in-situ parts or laboratory specimen.
The test is carried out using specified equipment in producing 2D radiographs films. Fig. 7 shows several fracture
and damage mechanisms occur on UHPFRC tested. After the radiograph’s images are obtained, the inspector then
proceeds with the analysis and several calculations if necessary, in classifying the defects appeared.

Figure 7: 2D radiographs images of deterioration mechanisms [9]

CONCLUSION

UHPFRC is one of the major components in supporting the structural design of the related infrastructures.
Thus, the process of producing this component is vital in order for this component to serve its purposes excellently.
Several NDT methods are necessary in aiding the inspection of UHPFRC. Basically, NDT approaches are more
reliable in terms of accuracy and time rather than using conventional approach. Compressive strength and modulus
of elasticity is obtained by using ultrasonic testing. Once the required values manage to be obtained, the calculation
for detecting the cracks is performed. Meanwhile, defects in fibre content and orientation are identified using two
approaches – magnetic and radiography testing. Benefits of using these two techniques is both methods provide
exact images for easier understanding as well as easy to refer. By examining the images, inspectors can analyse
the defects and come to conclusion easily and accurately.

REFERENCES

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