DEVELOPMENT OF REACTIVE POWDER CONCRETE

FOR STRUCTURAL APPLICATIONS

Dr. M V Seshagiri Rao1, Dr. V Srinivasa Reddy2
1
Professor of Civil Engineering, CVR COE, Hyderabad, Email: rao_vs_meduri@yahoo.com
2
Professor of Civil Engineering, GRIET, Hyderabad, Email: vempada@gmail.com

Reactive Powder Concrete is a composite material which processes very high strength and
ductility, developed with a special combination of constituent materials such as Portland
cement, silica fume, quartz powder, fine silica, high-range water reducer, very low water
cement ratio and steel fibers. In this paper, development of Reactive powder concrete(RPC),
an ultra-high-performance concrete, through micro structural enhancement techniques is
presented along with suitability evaluation studies for prefabricated structures especially
angle sections. The optimization of granular packing of the ingredients like silica fume,
quartz powder, standard sand with cement was an important factor for getting enhanced
mechanical and durability properties of RPC. Quartz sand is used instead of ordinary
aggregate which increases the compressive strength. It was found that the selection of
ingredients and curing regime plays a major role in the enhanced performance of Ultra High
Performance Concrete (UHPC). A mix proportion has been developed by optimizing the
volume of ingredients and with appropriate curing regime to produce ultra high strength
concrete of 193MPa cured at 90oC. The dominant role of the curing regime on the
performance of reactive powder concrete was highlighted in this present study.

INTRODUCTION

Reactive Powder Concrete (RPC) is an Ultra High Performance Concrete developed in mid
1990’s by Bouygues' laboratory in France. The research carried out in different countries
shows that RPC with a compressive strength up to 200 MPa can be developed using steel
fibers and can be improved further up to 800 MPa using steel pellets. The flexural strength of
RPC elements are of the order of 80 MPa and these elements can be used for structural
applications instead of steel. The material exhibits high ductility with typical values for
energy absorption approaching those reserved for metals.
Reactive Powder Concrete (RPC) is a new family of high strength cement based composites
that achieves high levels of compressive strength from a special combination of constituent
materials. The composition of reactive powder concrete includes cement (ordinary Portland
cement), fine sand, silica fume, quartz powder, and high tensile steel fibers. Reactive powder
concrete has enhanced mechanical and durability properties due to microstructural
engineering approach including elimination of the coarse aggregates, reduction of the water-
to-cementitious material, lowering of the CaO–SiO2 ratio by introducing the silica
components, and incorporation of steel fiber reinforcement. The absence of coarse aggregate
is the key-aspect for the microstructure and the performance of the RPC due to reduction in
the heterogeneity between the cement matrix and the aggregate. The higher the density .the
greater the strength and lower the permeability. Water cement ratio used in RPC ranges from
0.15 to 0.25. This concrete has a very high compressive strength of 200 MPa which can be
improved further by introducing steel pellets up to 800MPa. The reinforcing effect of steel
fibers is especially critical to the mechanical properties of RPC under tension .This new
family of concrete has improved ductile behavior with a flexural strength of 25MPa to
40MPa. These performances are due to the improved microstructure properties and highly
discontinuous pore structure. Also, the toughness index of this concrete is high when
compared with the ordinary confined concrete. There is almost no carbonation and chloride
ion penetration and near zero sulphate attack. Moreover the resistance to abrasion is near to
rock. There is also no shrinkage or creep, which makes the material very suitable for
application in prestressed and prefabricated structures. The high strength and easiness to
produce using customary industrial tool by casting injection, and extrusion makes it suitable
for prefabricated structural applications. Characterization of materials used in RPC has
progressed to such an extent that the use of RPC in full scale structures is distinctively visible
on the horizon. With respect to the mechanical behavior, UHPC with fibers shows, depending
on the type and quantity of fibres contained in the mix, ductile behavior under compression as
well as in tension. By introducing fine steel fibers, they can exhibit remarkable strengths and
energy absorptions. Very few studies are done on the role of fiber addition on the
compressive and flexural strengths of RPC is required to understand and set optimum limits
on the fiber content.The study is aimed at identifying and optimizing the salient parameters
that influenced the mixture proportions of the Reactive Powder Concrete and its curing
methods. Also, study of various mechanical properties of RPC is carried out to find the
feasibility of using RPC as structural components such as angle sections.

PROPERTIES OF RPC

1. Compressive Strength: Higher compressive strength than High Performance

concrete .Maximum compressive strength of RPC is approximately 200MPa.
2. Tensile Strength: 20 to 50 MPa, twice as strong as normal concrete in compression)
3. Flexural Strength: RPC possess high flexural strength (nearly100 MPa) than HPC. By
introducing steel fibers, RPC can achieve high flexural strength.
4. Resistance to Chloride Ion Penetration-Heat cured RPC show high resistance than
normal cured RPC.
5. Homogeneity: Improved by eliminating all coarse aggregates. Dry components for
use in RPC is less than 600 micro meter.
6. Compactness: Application of pressure before and during concrete setting period.
7. Microstructure: Microstructure of the cement hydrate can be changed by applying
heat treatment during curing.
8. Material Ductility: Material ductility can be improved through the addition of short
steel fibers.
9. Young’s Modulus 50 to 75 GPa
10. Almost no shrinkage or creep,Light weight and Long Life

BENEFITS OF RPC

1. It has the potential to structurally compete with steel. All steel elements in a structure
can be replaced
by RPC elements for its superior mechanical and durability characteristics
2. Superior strength combined with higher shear capacity result in significant dead load
reduction.
3. With its ductile tension failure mechanism, RPC can be used to resist all but direct
primary tensile
 stresses. This eliminates the need for supplemental shear and other auxiliary
reinforcing steel.
4. RPC provides improve seismic performance by reducing inertia loads with lighter
members, allowing larger deflections with reduced cross sections, and providing higher
energy absorption.
5. Low &non-interconnected porosity diminishes mass transfer, making penetration of
liquid/gas non-
existent. It has immense potential in construction due to its superior, mechanical
&durability properties.
6. RPC has ultra dense micro structure, giving advantageous water proofing &durability
characteristics
7. No rebar needed.

RPC APPLICATIONS

1. Containment of Nuclear Waste: Used for isolation and containment of nuclear wastes.
It has been used for blocking & stabilization of containment waste. RPC has also been
used for isolation and containment of nuclear waste of several projects in Europe.
2. The first bridge project using this material was a pedestrian bridge in Sherbrooke,
Quebec, Canada, constructed in 1997. The bridge was manufactured in a precast
operation in six segments each 33 feet (10 m) long, transported to the site, and post-
tensioned together. The bridge is a 3-D space truss with a clear span of 198 ft (60 m)
and a top deck 1.25 in. (30 mm) thick. A pedestrian bridge in Seoul, Korea, has a clear
span of 390 ft (120 m) and a structural depth of 3.6 ft (1.1 m) using a modified double
bulb-tee with a deck thickness of 1.25 in. (30 mm). Several other bridge projects are
presently under development in North America, Europe, Australia, and Asia.
3. Portugal has used it for seawall anchors
4. Austrailia has used it in a vehicular bridge
5. France has used it in building power plants
6. Qinghai-Tibet Railway Bridge
7. Shawnessy Light Rail Transit Station
8. Basically, structures needing light and thin components, things like roofs for stadiums,
long bridge spans, and anything that needs extra safety or security such as blast
resistant structures

Sherbrooke bridge, Quebec, Canada

 Qinghai-Tibet Railway Shawnessy Light Rail Transit Station in
Iowa (2004) U.S.

EXPERIMENTAL PROGRAMME

This paper presents the suitability evaluation studies on Reactive Powder Concrete for
prefabricated structures especially angle sections. The present study includes three
experimental phases.
1. The first experimental phase includes Design of RPC mixes and determining of
compressive, tensile and flexural behavior of RPC.
2. The second phase includes testing of RPC angle sections in compression and flexure.
Many of the tests in this phase were carried out according to ASTM standard test
procedures.
3. The third phase is testing of bolted plate section for determining the edge distance to
be used in the bolted connection.

MATERIALS USED

The materials used in the present investigation are listed below:

1. Ordinary Portland cement of 53 grade confirming to IS: 12269 was used for the study.
2. The silica fume used in this study had a Blaine’s fineness of 20m2/g. The silica fume
contained 94% silicon dioxide while the quartz powder contained mostly silicon
dioxide. (25% by weight)
3. Quartz powder
4. Standard Ennore Sand conforming to IS: 383 : 1970
5. The maximum and nominal size of aggregates used for RPC is 2.36mm respectively.
The material having the largest particle size in RPC is sand.
6. Based on size of aggregates, two lengths of micro steel fibers were used 6mm, and
13mm micro-steel fibers (for RPC) and diameter 0.16mm having tensile strength of
2000MPa.(Table 2) (2.5-10% by volume for toughening)
7. Eventually the workability was controlled using adequate quantities of third
generation poly-carboxylic based superplasticizers (Poly-acrylic ester type).
8. Cured in steam bath for 48 hrs @ 90ºC after initial set, placed under pressure at the
molding stage
The Physical properties of the materials are shown in Table 1.
RPC MIX DESIGN

The standard mix proportion and quantity of materials per m3 of reactive powder concrete
mix formulation as shown in Table 3 and 4, developed at CSIR-SERC Chennai, was adopted.
A Hobart Planetary mixer machine (10 kg capacity) was used to mix the RPC. In case of RPC
mixtures with fibers, after all the powder ingredients were mixed thoroughly with water along
with Super plasticizer (SP) and when flowable consistency was achieved, the fibers were
added to the mixing bowl slowly. Care was taken to ensure random distribution of fibers.
Table 1: Physical Properties of the Materials

Sl.
Materials Used Symbol Properties
No
OPC: 53 Grade; SG = 3.15; SC = 28%; IST = 110 min; FST =
1. Cement C 260 min;
CS = 58 MPa at 28 days
2. Silica Fume SF SG = 2.25; % Passing through 45μm sieve in WSA=92 %
3. Quartz Powder Q SG = 2.59; % Passing through 45μm sieve in WSA=75 %
4. Ennore Sand SG = 2.63
5. Super Plasticizer SP Poly-Acrylic Ester Based
Micro-steel
6 STF L=6, and 13 mm & D=0.16mm
fibers
OPC – Ordinary Portland cement, SG – Specific Gravity, CS – Cube Strength, PSR – Particle
size range, SC – Standard Consistency, WSA – Wet sieve analysis of aggregates, L – Length,
D – Diameter.

Table 2: Properties of steel fibers

Dimension of fiber Strength

Type of fibers
L(mm) D(mm) MPa
6
carbon straight micro-steel fibers 0.16 2000
13

Table 3: Standard Mix Proportions for Reactive Powder Concrete

SF C Q FA w/c SP STF
0.25 1 0.4 1.1 0.22 3 0.2 (2% by vol.)
Mix Quantity of Materials / m3 of concrete
Proportions SF C Q Sand w/c SP STF
kg kg Kg kg lit lit kg
194 777 311 855 171 29 160
SF – Silica Fume, C – Cement Q – Quartz, FA – Fine Aggregate, W – Water, SP – Super
Plasticizer mixtures, STF-Steel Fibre

Table 4: Mixture proportions

 Mix proportions of RPC concrete with respect to cement
Mix ID Fiber Length
C S Q FA W SP % SF %

RPC _ 1 0.25 0.4 1.1 0.17 1.5 _

1.1
RPC -1% 6mm 1 0.25 0.4 0.17 1.2 1
1.1
RPC -2% 6mm 1 0.25 0.4 0.17 2.25 2
1.1
RPC - 3% 6mm 1 0.25 0.4 0.20 2.5 3
1.1
RPC - 1% 13mm 1 0.25 0.4 0.17 1.2 1
1.1
RPC -2% 13mm 1 0.25 0.4 0.17 2.25 2
1.1
RPC - 3% 13mm 1 0.25 0.4 0.20 2.5 3

1.1
RPC - 1%+1% 6mm+13mm 1 0.25 0.4 0.17 2.25 2

1.1
RPC - 1%+2% 6mm+13mm 1 0.25 0.4 0.20 2.5 3

C.A.&F.A., coarse and Fine aggregate, W – Water, SP – Superplasticizers (quantity of SP is

represented in percentage by weight of cementitious material), SF – Steel fibers (quantity of
SF is represented in percentage by volume of the total mixture

CURING REGIME

The curing protocol adopted is indicated in Fig. 1 and is the outcome of a study of different
combinations of normal water curing, hot water curing and high temperature curing . After 10
days of different regimes of curing, the specimens were cured in water until the testing.
300

250
ROC: 1 hr
200 ROH: 1 hr HAC

150
Temperature (C◦)

ROH: 4.8 hrs

HWC
100

50 ATC NWC NWC till DOT

0
0 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10

Curing Period (days)

Fig. 1: Curing Regime for RPC

ATC-Ambient temperature, NWC-Normal water curing, ROH- Rate of heating, HWC-Hot
Water Curing, HAC-Hot Air Curing, ROC-Rate of curing, DOT-Date of Testing

PREPERATION OF TEST SPECIMENS

Preparation of Compression Specimens

The RPC cylinders of 100mm diameter and 200mm height were cast with various fiber
content and combinations as shown in Table 5. All the specimens were subjected to the curing
regimes as specified and prepared for the test. This experiment was carried out, to observe the
improvement in compressive behavior of the RPC on addition of different volumes of 6mm
and 13mm fibers. Stress-strain behaviour for specimens with different fibre content is
studied. The addition of fibers caused a considerable contribution to ductility. Compressive
strengths of RPC specimens with various fiber content are shown in Table 5.

Preparation of Tension Specimen

The most commonly used specimen geometrics for testing of UHPC (Ultra High Performance
Concrete) behavior under tension were so-called dumb-bell prisms. The shape of such prisms
avoids failure in the area of bond introduction in the specimen, which otherwise occurs due to
an unavoidable multi axial stress state and/or an abrupt change in stiffness in the transitory
region from loading plates to specimen. The cross section in the constant width portion is
200mm. The overall height of the specimen was 350mm and both end edge is 150mm.
Special steel moulds were designed and fabricated for the preparation of direct tension test
specimens.

Fig. 2: Photographic View of Tension Specimen Fig. 3: Beam Specimen Schematic

Diagram
with End Grips
Preparation of Flexure and shear Specimen

RPC beams of size 70 x 70 x 350 mm with different lengths of fibers [l/d (mm), 6/0.16,
13/0.16] single or in combination and different volume fractions were prepared and tested.
Specimens prepared were beams of rectangular cross section with a notch at the mid-length to
a depth of 1/6 times the beam depth. The loading span (S) was 300 mm (0.3D). The notch
depth width was 5mm.

Preparation of test specimen for Bolted Plates

A Reactive Powder Concrete formulation developed at the Structural Engineering Research

Centre, Chennai based on extensive investigations is used for production of RPC plate
elements and the behaviour of bolted plates was investigated under direct tensile loading
which is the most critical condition for a bolted connection. RPC panels were cast in wooden
moulds of clear dimensions of 350 x 350 mm and thickness 15mm. After 24 hours of the
specified curing regimes. Cured specimens were cut to the required dimensions using
concrete cutting machine. Holes were drilled using concrete drilling machine at 1.5d, 2.5d
and 3.5d from the edge of plates (d- diameter of the bolt hole).

Preparation of RPC Angle Specimens

For casting the RPC angles with the different volumes of fibre content, a special device was
designed and fabricated. Using the special mould angle sections of 80mm x 80mm x 10mm
angle sections were cast for 1m length. Then the angle sections were cut to different heights
or lengths to conduct the flexure and compression tests. With this mould one can cast angle
sections of thickness 5mm, 6mm, 8mm, 10mm, 12mm, 14mm, 16mm and 20mm.

Table 5: Comparison of compressive strengths for various dosages of RPC

Sl.No Mix Type Fiber content Compressive Strength (MPa)

1 CC 0 49.4
2 HPC 0 68.0
3 RPC 0 105.0
4 RPC 1% 6mm 122.7
5 RPC 2% 6mm 145.8
6 RPC 3% 6mm 161.8
7 RPC 1%13mm 136.9
8 RPC 2% 13mm 171.3
9 RPC 2%6mm+1%13mm 156.1
 2% 13mm+1%
10 RPC 156.3
6mm

Table 6: Tensile Properties of Various RPC Specimens

Stress at First Crack Peak Tensile Stress at

Sl.No. Sp. Id
(MPa) stress(MPa) Failure (MPa)
1 RPC0% fibre 3.98 4.18 4.18
2 1%6mm 5.19 7.12 3.45
3 1%13mm 5.85 7.15 3.55
4 2% 6mm 6.53 8.09 3.98
5 2%13mm 6.83 9.72 4.55
6 1%13mm+1%6mm 6.70 9.78 4.62
7 3% 6mm 7.00 9.85 3.95
8 2%13mm+1%6mm 10.07 12.44 6.16

Table 7: Shear Properties of RPC

Fiber content %
Sl.No. Corresponding Shear Stress(MPa)
6mm 13mm
R0 0 0 13.33
RS2 2 0 27.18
RD21 2 1 46.57
RD32 3 2 83.33
RS2L 0 2 53.09
RS3L 0 3 80.43

Table 8: Compressive Stress of various Structural components

Volume of Ultimate
Largest
Sl. Sections Fiber(%) Height Compressive
Dimension
No. Type (mm) Stress
6mm 13mm (mm)
(MPa)
1 Rectangular 1 150 70 140.80
2 150 70 144.74
2 I 1 193 100 105.17
3 2 195 100 129.32
4 3 195 100 141.30
5 Channel 1 200 100 92.79
6 Angle 1 200 80 103.33
 7 2 200 80 124.63
8 3 200 80 146.67
9 1 200 80 143.3
10 2 200 80 153.33
11 1 1 200 80 126.27
12 1 2 200 80 156.67

TEST RESULTS AND OBSERVATIONS

1. The average target compressive strength of RPC was 171.3 MPa with 2% 13mm long
fibers, which are very close to the aimed, target strength.

2. As seen from the Table 5, the RPC mixes showed 112.6 to 246.8% higher compressive
strength compared to normal concrete. The compressive strength generally increased with
increase in fiber content in case of RPC mixes with 6mm fibers and 13 mm fibers. The
highest compressive strength of 171.3 MPa was recorded for 2% 13 mm fibers. However,
when fiber combinations of 6mm and 13 mm fiber were used, there was a reduction in
compressive strength compared to highest compressive strength obtained for single size
fibers. This could be attributed to the reduced workability and lower compaction density
achieved. Therefore 3% of 6mm and 2% of 13 mm seem to be the optimum fibre contents
as observed from the results obtained in the present study.

3. The tensile properties of the different mixes viz., the tensile strength at first visible crack
and corresponding strain and peak stress and corresponding strain and the failure stress
and strain are indicated in Table 7. At about 70-90% stress level depending on the type
and volume fraction of fiber, the first visual crack appeared. This led to brittle failure for
plain RPC, but for fibered RPC the stress increases up to 10-30% depending on the fiber
type and volume fraction is attributed to the high fiber.

4. The shear stress for various fiber dosages are tabulated in Table 8. The maximum shear
stress is achieved for mixed fiber ratio (3% 6mm+2% 13mm) 83.8MPa. However, there is
a significant increase in shear stress for 2% 13mm fibers (57.9MPa). Even 3%13mm
fibers reported a maximum of 86.4 MPa. It shows the shear stress is increased with
increase in fiber content. Also the minimum shear stress is for the RPC beam without any
fiber (8MPa). The results confirm that the addition of 2% 13mm fiber dosage is optimum
for RPC concrete.

5. The toughness characteristics of these concretes were calculated by first plotting the
flexural strength versus deflection plot and then calculating the area under the plot. The
energy absorption characteristic was conducted for RPC concretes by first plotting the
stress-strain curve in compression and then determining the area under the stress-strain
plot.

6. The enhanced mechanical properties of RPC led to the investigation of various structural
shapes under compression as structural components of a building frame or a space truss.
Since angle sections were more often used for trusses more extensive study was carried
out on angle sections among the various shapes taken for testing. Various shapes such as
rectangular sections, I sections, channel sections and Angle sections were cast and
 subjected to axial compression. Table 9 gives the ultimate compressive strengths of
various compression specimens. Amongst the specimens tested the rectangular cross-
section gives higher compressive strength than the other structural shapes of 2%6mm
volume of fibre.

7. 2% 13mm length fibre produced the highest stress carrying capacity compared with
respect other series. The stress carrying capacity is also greater for combination of fibres
1%6mm + 2%13mm. Also stress carrying capacity is high for lower slenderness ratio
(l/d) ratios compared with higher slenderness ratios. It is also observed among all the
angles tested with various aspect ratio, one with 2% 13mm fibre volume gives a higher
strength. When compared with l/d ratio of 7.5, the angles with lower l/d ratios have a
superior performance. This may be due to the size effect and fibre distribution. In
addition, it is observed that with slenderness ratio of 2.5, and volume of fibre 2% 13mm
long the angle sections have highest compressive stress.

8. With the addition of fibre by volume, the percentage increase in compressive strengths
also increases. It is observed that 1.42 times increase in compressive strength for the
increase in fibre content by 1% to 3% in 6mm for a slenderness ratio of 2.5. Higher
increment can be reasoned because of the usage of micro-steel fibres.

9. The failure pattern shows that the failure is due to the principal tension by formation of
diagonal crack rather than due to compression. Also it is observed from the failure pattern
that the failure occurs due to shear rather than buckling.

10. The following observations are made on the tearing resistance of RPC bolted plates.

a) The commonly recommended edge distance for steel plate connections is 1.5d.
This difference is mainly due to limited tearing strength of RPCs.
b) In general an edge distance of about 3.5 times the diameter of bolt hole (3d) seems
to be the preferred value. Assuming a 45 dispersion of stress from hole edge, a
minimum edge distance of 2.5d is required to prevent premature failure.
c) The onset of crack is delayed when the fiber content is increased due to the
increase in number of fibers resisting the opening of incipient micro cracks.
However, the increase is not evident at very high volume fractions of fibers as the
problems of workability and balling can lead to higher spacing and non favorable
orientation besides higher porosity due to difficulties in compaction.
d) There is an increase of 30% in ultimate load carrying capacity for the same
volume of fiber between 6mm fiber and 13mm fiber. However the volume of fiber
cannot be increased more than 3% for 6mm fibers and more than 2% for 13mm
fibers because of workability problems. The length of fiber used also significantly
influences the load carrying capacity of plates. The maximum tensile stress of the
plate is 30% more for 13mm fiber than the 6mm fiber. The load carrying capacity
increases by 21% to 30% with the increase in length of fiber.

ANALYSIS AND CONCLUSIONS

The following conclusions are made from the experiments conducted to determine the
mechanical properties of RPC mix
:
1. RPC with compressive strength of more than 190 MPa(Cube Compressive Strength)
can be produced.
2. The superior performances of RPC is due to the selection of appropriate mixture
proportions, w/c ratio, use of heat curing cycles, etc., which refined the micro-
structure and densified the cementitious paste, thereby increasing the interfacial bond
between the aggregate and paste phase.
3. A fiber dosage of 2% 13mm was found to be the optimum fiber content to achieve the
maximum enhancement in material properties.
4. The investigation on the effect of addition of micro-steel fiber in RPC mixtures
suggested that as the fiber dosage increased, the ultimate compressive and flexural
strength increases substantially with a significant benefits in flexural strength.
5. Though 3% fiber addition will increase the properties of RPC, due to the workability
problems 2% of fiber dosage is considered optimum for flexure, impact and toughness
and compaction.
6. The highest compressive strength of 171.3 MPa was recorded for 2% 13 mm fibers.
However, when fiber combinations of 6mm and 13 mm fiber were used, there was a
reduction in compressive strength compared to that for single size fibers due to the
reduced workability and lower compaction density achieved.
7. The elastic modulus of RPC mixes is found to be 44.4% to 87.4 % higher than that of
control concrete.
8. The crack pattern shows formation of vertical cracks for lower percentage of small
fiber reinforcement and diagonal cracks for higher percetages.of fiber reinforcement
9. The minimum shear stress is 8MPa for RPC beam without fiber. Also with the
increase in fiber ratio the shear stress increases and for 2%13mm the shear stress was
57.9MPa
10. The peak tensile stress ranged from 4.18 MPa for plain RPC to 12.44 MPa for for
mixed fiber ratios of 3% (1%6mm+2%13mm) where as for 2% 13mm fiber th
emaximum tensile stress is 9.42MPa.
11. The average compressive strength of RPC angle sections of 164MPa is achieved for
2% 13mm fibers for an aspect ratio of 2.5.
12. The mechanical properties of different angle sections with varied dosages of fiber
volumes and different aspect ratio reveals that structural components made of RPC
can be used instead of steel.
13. Test on the mechanical properties are reported with respect to compression and
flexrural strengths. For the compressive strength values of about 166MPa are attained
and for the flexural strength values around 44MPa for angle sections. Both the tests
show distinct size effect.
14. The load carrying capability and energy absorption are found to be higher which
signifies the superior behavior of RPC angle sections on par with the steel sections.
15. Maximum compressive strength also increases with increase in volume and length of
fiber (146MPa for an slenderness ratio (l/d) of 7.5 to 166MPa for an slenderness ratio
of 2.5).
16. The ductility increases with the increase in length of the fiber showing the enhanced
stitching action by the longer fiber between the materials of RPC.
17. The results indicate that for bolted RPC members an edge distance of not less than
3.5d where d is the diameter of bolt hole, with a minimum of 2% of 13mm fibers will
be suitable for structural assemblages.
18. RPC is a viable substitute for normal concrete and HPC in structural components.

ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS

This Research work is carried out at CSIR-SERC Chennai

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