ENT728: Advanced Concrete Materials and Structures

School Cardiff School of Engineering
Department Code ENGIN
Module Code ENT728
External Subject Code H210
Number of Credits 10
Level L7
Language of Delivery English
Module Leader Professor Bhushan Karihaloo
Semester Autumn Semester
Academic Year 2012/3

Outline Description of Module

  • To gain a thorough understanding of the manufacturing processes and underlying mechanics of several advanced cement-based composites
  • To develop an appreciation of how fracture mechanics can help improve the design of plain and RC structures

On completion of the module a student should be able to

  • Explain the various mechanisms that impart high tensile strength and high ductility to several advanced cement-based composites
  • Understand the essential steps necessary for manufacturing advanced cement-based composites
  • Understand the theory of non-linear fracture mechanics for concrete and how it differs from linear elastic fracture mechanics
  • Recognise how and under what conditions can fracture mechanics improve the design of concrete structures

How the module will be delivered

A combination of lecture/tutorials (26 hours) and laboratory work (6 hours) is used to explain the fundamental theories and processes and to develop the student's understanding of the topics and their relevance to engineering practice.

The laboratory work includes the manufacture of a self-compacting advanced fibre-reinforced concrete mix from the family of CARDIFRC® and preparation of specimens for the determination of its strength, stiffness and toughness properties.

Skills that will be practised and developed

  • Apply micromechanics to relate microstructural parameters to the macroscopic properties of advanced cement-based composites
  • Apply non-linear theory of fracture to the design of plain and RC structures
  • Manufacture of high-performance fibre-reinforced cementitious composites, CARDIFRC®
  • Testing procedures for the determination of the strength, stiffness and toughness properties of CARDIFRC®
  • Micromechanical modelling of composites
  • Fracture mechanics in general

How the module will be assessed

 

The module is assessed through a 2-hour written examination scheduled during the Semester Examination Period.
 
Students will be given sample tutorial questions after each major topic.
 
The examination paper consists of six questions covering the entire syllabus of which the students are required to attempt any four questions.  The questions are designed to ensure that the students can demonstrate that they have met the learning outcome.

Assessment Breakdown

Type % Title Duration(hrs)
Exam - Autumn Semester 100 Advanced Concrete Materials & Structures 2

Syllabus content

1. Fibre-reinforced concrete - general introduction and DSP composites

2. Macro-defect-free cementitious composites

3. Reactive powder concrete-based composites

4. CARDIFRC® mixes

5. CARDIFRC® mixes continued

6. Introduction to linear elastic fracture mechanics (LEFM)

7. Why LEFM is not applicable to concrete

8. Non-linear fracture mechanics for concrete (NLFM)

9. Size effect

10. Application of NLFM to plain concrete structures

11. Application of NLFM to RC structures

Essential Reading and Resource List

Karihaloo, B.L.
Fracture Mechanics and Structural Concrete
Addison Wesley Longman
UK, 1995

Plus selected publications, including state-of-the-art reports in International Journals

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