Advanced Finite Element Analysis of Fiber Reinforced Capping Beams - A study to evaluate if fiber reinforced concrete could be used to ease the production and increase the durability of capping beams

Abstract

Marine and port structures are often built using reinforced concrete and steel. As these structures generally are designed for aggressive environments, it is needed to use dense reinforcement arrangements in order to minimize the crack widths in con crete elements. This will often result in difficulties during production and heavy workloads. It is therefore of great interest within the industry to investigate solu tions that may increase the durability and ease the production of quay structures, such as the common solution of a concrete capping beam on a sheet pile wall. In this type of structure the concrete capping beam mainly serves as a stiff tip at the top of the wall which distributes loads uniformly to the sheet piles. The concrete capping beam can be extended into the water in order to protect sheet piles from corrosion in the tidal zone. This extended part of the beam is sometimes referred to as the capping beam extension. The aim of this thesis has been to investigate if fiber reinforced concrete can be used for replacing conventional reinforcement in the capping beam extension for a simplified production procedure and increased durability. Furthermore, the structural behaviour of the capping beam has been investigated and a secondary aim has been to investigate if the structure has beam behaviour. A case study was performed where a capping beam from an actual project was cho sen for finite element modelling, verifying the performance of the structure with the proposed design as well as investigating its behaviour. The results are showing that only a small part of the capping beam possesses beam behaviour and is active under loading. Results from the FE-model are further showing that fiber reinforcement could be used for replacing reinforcement bars in the capping beam extension, while the proposed design is not allowed according to the current guidelines in Sweden.