July  2009  

Load dispersion profile of block layer in interlocking concrete block pavement

B.C. Panda

The top layer of Concrete Block Pavement (CBP) is discrete and discontinuous in nature. It is too complex to incorporate the discontinuities (joints) in the structural modelling of the block layer. But the design method can be made simple and similar to flexible pavement by removing block layer in the analysis and placing equivalent reduced traffic load intensity spread over a larger area directly on the base course. Plate load tests have been carried out to quantify the ability of block pavers to distribute vertical load. The test pavements were studied under an applied load of 51 kN. Five shapes and three block thicknesses were used in the investigation. The horizontal spread and vertical profile of external load were found out by pressure cells positioned on top of the base course.



















Physical and mechanical properties of high strength semi-light weight concrete

Tian Yaogang, Hu Shugang and Ding Qingjun

The effect of aggregate composition, the maximum particle size of lightweight aggregate, mineral admixture and the volume percentage of sand on high strength semi-lightweight concrete is investigated. The effects on compressive strength, splitting tensile strength, modulus of elasticity and dry apparent specific gravity are reported. Test results show that aggregate composition affects both physical and mechanical properties of semi-lightweight concrete. Reducing the maximum particle size of lightweight aggregate or introducing mineral admixture can improve its compressive strength and splitting tensile strength but these changes have negligible effect on its dry apparent specific gravity.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Seismic vulnerability of flat plate column joint

Manohar B. and A.R. Santha Kumar

A brittle punching shear failure can arise in flat plate-column connections during an earthquake because of poor transfer capacity of shearing forces and unbalanced moments. To increase the shear capacity of the slab therefore, various types of shear reinforcement are used around such connections. This paper presents the response of slab column connections containing various types of slab shear reinforcement when subjected to combined gravity and cyclic lateral loading predicted by a Finite Element analysis program MASA. First, a calibration model was developed in MASA to simulate the tested flat plate-column joint. Then, finite element models of a flat plate-column joint with various types of slab shear reinforcement were developed. The presence of shear reinforcement significantly improves ductility, energy dissipation and drift capacity of the connection under the applied lateral cyclic loading. As a result, slab shear reinforcement, in the form of lacing bars is proposed in this paper. The simplicity of placement of this type reinforcement makes it an attractive alternative to single-leg and stud shear reinforcement.