Behaviour of PCC and RCC Cylinders Unconfined and Confined by UPVC & High Pressure UPVC

Abstract

The construction industry is always looking for cost effective ways to increase strength and durability of a structure. Steel and FRP based confinement have been used in the past but steel has a risk of strength degradation due to corrosion and FRP is not feasible because of high cost of manufacture. This project proposes the use of UPVC as a confining jacket for concrete. The project focuses on the comparison of performance of plain and reinforced concrete unconfined, confined by different thickness UPVC and confined by canvas pipe. The thicknesses of the UPVC are . The specimens were tested on (CTM) Compression testing machine limited to 20% of ultimate strength. The machine applied axial load on the face of the cylinder. The results were recorded in the data logger attached with the machine. The results gave us loads with corresponding deformation. From the results, we determined the stress strain curve which provided us with the post peak behaviour of concrete. From the graphs, we found that the confined concrete has an improved strength from the unconfined concrete. The UPVC confined concrete had - times the strength of unconfined concrete. The post peak behaviour was also promising as we found that the confined concrete had improved durability as the concrete deformed at a lower rate than the unconfined concrete. This project emphasizes on the potential of using UPVC as a confining material. It showed positive results in strength and durability and as it is less expensive than FRP and can withstand aggressive environmental and chemical attacks, it is a more feasible option. This project can be further researched by experimental testing on UPVC confined members i.e columns.