Simulation of Fibre Orientation in Self-compacting Concrete: Case Studies

Recent developments in concrete technology with high potential include ultra high performance concrete and self-compacting fibre reinforced concrete, which have a flowable consistency and can transport relatively high fibre dosages. Flowability is achieved by adopted mix design and both the mix design and flow affect the distribution and orientation of the fibres, which affect the post-cracking behaviour and accordingly the structural performance. With new materials also come new manufacturing and design approaches. The prediction of fibre orientation with computational fluid dynamics (CFD) simulations can be an important instrument to predict, understand and influence fibre orientation. With better understanding the mix design and casting process can be optimized.

This paper reports about a study executed to determine the applicability of the software package Autodesk Moldflow for fluid dynamics simulations of flowable fibre concrete. After a discussion of relevant literature, two reference cases address stretching and shearing flow conditions in a qualitative and quantitative way. Concrete was modelled as an incompressible Bingham material with addition of a fibre orientation model that was developed by Folgar and Tucker. A third case, a square panel, was used as a reference and structural element for flow simulations. Parameters varied were among others rotary diffusion, wall-slip and duration of casting.