Recent FRC Developments in Uruguay: Quality Control, Durability and Three Structural Applications

FRC in Uruguay is usually used in pavements and slabs-on-ground; design based on empirical experience of suppliers and post-cracking strength is not controlled. This paper presents the results of five research projects developed in Uruguay to address FRC use and to show its potential. A) Montevideo test (MVD), a stable test, which requires simple equipment and uses small samples was developed. Correlation between MVD and EN14651 show a qualitative and quantitative equivalence between them. B) The extent to which the cracking improvement given by fibres collaborates with concrete durability, was experimentally studied in beams exposed to a chloride environment. C) A direct experimental assessment of the SFRC orientation factor was performed for an elevated slab. D) A cross-section of Eladio Dieste’s famous vaults system is composed by a layer of masonry with steel in between them and a layer of mortar with steel mesh reinforcement. Through an experimental research, an equivalent response was obtained by sprayed FRC as a replacement of the mortar-mesh layer. E) Precast concrete sandwich panels, composed of two concrete layers separated by a layer of insulation, were experimental and numerically studied. Traditional reinforcement in the concrete layers was replaced by fibres, optimising the panel geometry and reinforcement.