Advanced Composites For Structural

Strengthening
Supervisor: Prof Kypros Pilakoutas
Joint Supervisor: Dr Maurizio Guadagnini
The Concrete and Earthquake Engineering Research Group has been working in the field of FRP
reinforcement for over 20 years and participated in many large research topics spanning most areas in
the field. Research topics include:

Plate bonding of RC Steel and other structures

Wrapping of Columns, Joints and Beams
Strengthening of special structures
Seismic Strengthening

Depending on the project this may be an experimental or analytical project or both.There are strong links
with industry, which is normally directly involved in these projects

Pre-requisite qualification
MEng , MSc in Concrete or Structural Engineering

Further details
http://www.sheffield.ac.uk/ci/research/frp

Static And Dynamic Strength Of Micro-

lattice Materials
Supervisor: Dr Zuhal Ozdemir
Micro-lattice materials (MLMs) are a new generation of engineered materials, obtained via so-called 3D
printing, which carry great promise in applications of protective structures (such as body armour for
humans or cladding for vehicles). The fact that their micro-structure can be controlled makes them ideal
for testing hypotheses of material strength under a range of loading rates (from quasi-static to impact)
and of structural strength for a range of specimen sizes.
In this project, the strength of metallic MLMs will be predicted at both micro and macro-levels under static
and dynamic loading conditions. Therefore, the study will be a combination of large-scale numerical
simulations of the specimens with explicitly modelled micro-structure, and more sophisticated modelling
approaches based on up-scaling and homogenisation. Both up-scaling and homogenisation will lead to
effective properties for macro-level modelling. By using these macro and micro-scale models, a link will
be sought with generalised plasticity theories to predict structural scaling effects and material rate
effects.

This project is NOT FUNDED, although Departmental/University scholarships are available for applicants
who can demonstrate strong evidence of research potential.

Timber-steel Hybrid Construction For

Modern Multi-storey Building
Supervisor: Prof Buick Davison
Cross-Laminated Timber (CLT) panels show great potential for use in an innovative construction
technique for multi-storey buildings. Utilised as floor slabs, the panels can be combined with beams within
a steel-frame, replacing the precast or poured-in-situ concrete conventionally used in composite
construction. Using timber in place of concrete results in a superstructure that has reduced column sizes
and is significantly lighter, meaning foundations can be smaller and simpler than the equivalent concrete-
floored structure. This combination has characteristics that allow it to exploit the environmental benefits of
Design-for-Deconstruction, meaning reuse of all superstructure elements is plausible - something not
currently possible with traditional composite steel frames. Development of composite action between the
steel beam and timber slab is critical in creating a viable and competitive construction system. This
project will investigate practical methods of creating a suitable shear connection at the interface of the
slab and beam.

Improving The Structural Efficiency Of

Steel Trusses
Supervisor: Prof Buick Davison
Structural hollow sections possess many advantages over open sections; structural efficiency when
subjected to compression, reduced surface area, absence of sharp corners, aesthetic appeal. However,
the structural efficiency of trusses formed from tubular steelwork may be compromised by the design of
the joints between the chords and the bracing (web diagonal) elements. In order to prevent local failure at
a node, the size/thickness of the chords and/or bracing elements may need to be increased above that
required to resist the axial force in the member. Thus the amount of material used along the whole length
of individual members is increased to avoid a local capacity problem. Strengthening joints between hollow
sections is problematic as access to the inside of the tube is not possible. The design approach that has
been adopted for many years is to size the members to resist the axial forces generated in the truss
members and then check that the joints between the chords and braces have sufficient capacity without
stiffening
Construction Innovation
Supervisor: Prof Kypros Pilakoutas
Joint Supervisor: Dr Maurizio Guadagnini
The process of developing and getting construction innovation from research to practice. Topics include:

Innovative Flexural Reinforcements

FRP reinforcement
Innovative FRC elements
Couplers
Permanent Formwork
Concrete Fixings
Expansion joints
Recycled Materials in Construction
New Materials in Construction

Pre-requisite qualification
MEng , MSc

Further details
http://www.sheffield.ac.uk/civil/research/se/concrete/index

Frc - Fiber Reinforced Concrete

Supervisor: Prof Kypros Pilakoutas
Joint Supervisor: Dr Maurizio Guadagnini
Previous research projects focused on pumpable FRC and development of GRC permanent formwork.
Likely new projects include:

The use of Glass FRC in thin shell concrete structures

The use of steel fibres in concrete
The use of blended fibres in concrete
Depending on the project this may be an experimental or analytical project or both.There are strong links
with industry, which is normally directly involved in these projects.

Pre-requisite qualification
MEng , MSc

Further details
http://www.sheffield.ac.uk/ci/research/frc

The Behaviour And Design Of Reinforced

Concrete Structures
Supervisor: Prof Kypros Pilakoutas
Joint Supervisor: Dr Maurizio Guadagnini
Projects in any of the main aspects of RC:

Shear
Punching shear
Flexural Behaviour
Bond
Ductility

Pre-requisite qualification
MEng , MSc in Concrete or Structural Engineering

Further details
http://www.sheffield.ac.uk/ci/research/concrete

Earthquake Risk Assessment And

Management
Supervisor: Prof Kypros Pilakoutas
Joint Supervisor: Dr Maurizio Guadagnini
Projects likely:

Vulnerability of Constructions in Developing Countries

Earthquake/Tsunami Mitigation Studies
Regional Risk Assessment and Management
Risk Assessment and Management of Industrial Facilities
Seismic Strengthening
This project will be co-supervised by Dr M Guadagnini and Dr I Hajirasouliha.

Pre-requisite qualification
MEng , MSc in Structural or Earthquake Engineering

Further details
http://www.sheffield.ac.uk/ci/research/earthquake

Seismic Strengthening Of Rc Using External

Lateral Post-tensioning
Supervisor: Prof Kypros Pilakoutas
Joint Supervisor: Dr Maurizio Guadagnini
A simple technique developed and patented by the University of Sheffield utilises metallic strips to repair
and strengthen RC elements damaged by blast or earthquakes. This technique has been recently tested
on the shake-table during the Bandit project on a full-scale two storey RC structure.

The project will investigate this technique both experimentally and analytically and develop models for its
application in vulnerable buildings.

This project will be co-supervised by Dr M Guadagnini and Dr I Hajirasouliha.

Pre-requisite qualification
MEng , MSc in Structural or Earthquake Engineering

Further details
http://www.sheffield.ac.uk/ci/research/earthquake

Structural Analysis And Design Of Steel

Fibre Reinforced Concrete Pavements For
Surface Transport.
Supervisor: Prof Kypros Pilakoutas
Joint Supervisor: Dr Maurizio Guadagnini
Roller-compacted concrete (RCC) is made from the combination of aggregates, water and binder and is
mostly used for the construction of rigid pavements. Although the same ingredients as for wet-
consistency concrete are used, these are mixed at different proportions resulting to a material with special
properties and behaviour, which has a consistency representative of zero slump concrete. Previous
research has demonstrated that RCC can be reinforced successfully with steel fibres to enhance its post-
cracking properties. To promote the use of steel fibre-reinforced (SFR) RCC in surface transport
pavement construction, it is necessary to develop analysis and design tools, which could be used
effectively by the construction industry.

The main aim of this research will be to develop a framework for the analysis and design of SFR-RCC
pavements, which accounts for the inelastic properties of SFR-RCC. The framework should consider the
latest developments on the empirical-mechanistic design of pavements and utilise experimental data
obtained from the accelerated load testing of SFR-RCC pavement sectors, undertaken as part of the FP6
STREP project “EcoLanes” (http://ecolanes.shef.ac.uk).

This research will be co-supervised by Dr Kyriacos Neocleous (k.neocleous@sheffield.ac.uk).

Pre-requisite qualification
MEng , MSc

Further details
http://www.shef.ac.uk/ci/research/frc/index.html

Earthquake Resistant Design Of Reinforced

Concrete Structures
Supervisor: Prof Kypros Pilakoutas
Joint Supervisor: Dr Iman Hajirasouliha
Projects include:

Ductility design
Special Energy Dissipation Systems
Non-Linear dynamic analysis
Concrete ductility
Depending on the project this may be an experimental or analytical project or both. There are strong links
with industry, which is normally directly involved in these projects.

This project will be co-supervised by Dr M Guadagnini and Dr I Hajirasouliha.

Pre-requisite qualification
MEng , MSc in Structural or Earthquake Engineering

Further details
http://www.sheffield.ac.uk/ci/research/earthquake

Mechanical Behaviour And Durability Of

Steel Fibre-reinforced Rcc Concrete Made
With Recycled Materials.
Supervisor: Prof Kypros Pilakoutas
Joint Supervisor: Dr Maurizio Guadagnini
Roller-compacted concrete (RCC) is made from the combination of aggregates, water and binder and is
mostly used for the construction of rigid pavements. Although the same ingredients as for wet-
consistency concrete are used, these are mixed at different proportions resulting to a material with special
properties and behaviour, which has a consistency representative of zero slump concrete. Previous
research has demonstrated that RCC can be reinforced successfully with steel fibres to improve its post-
cracking properties and result in more economical and sustainable rigid pavements. However, to improve
further the sustainability of steel fibre-reinforced (SFR) RCC pavements, it is necessary to maximise the
use of recycled materials (such as recycled aggregates and steel tyre-cord fibres) in the concrete mix.

The main aim of this research will therefore be to develop SFR-RCC mixes made with 100% recycled
materials and examine their mechanical behaviour and durability to a number of environments (namely
corrosion and freeze-thaw).

This research will include both experimental and theoretical research and utilise the findings of the EU
project "EcoLanes" (http://ecolanes.shef.ac.uk).

Pre-requisite qualification
MEng , MSc

Further details
http://www.sheffield.ac.uk/ci/research/concrete
Post-cracking Modelling Of Fibre
Reinforced Concrete.
Supervisor: Prof Kypros Pilakoutas
Joint Supervisor: Dr Maurizio Guadagnini
Plain (i.e. unreinforced) concrete has low tensile strength, limited ductility and low crack resistance. The
need to improve these weak properties has led to the development of fibre reinforced concrete (FRC),
which has enhanced post-cracking characteristics. Although direct tensile tests can be undertaken to
evaluate empirically the post-cracking tensile characteristics of FRC, the flexural test is widely used, as it
is an easier test to conduct. Fracture mechanics theory and/ or stress-strain relationships can be used
together with empirical flexural data to model the FRC tensile characteristics. However, the developed
theoretical models are often inaccurate as they do not account for important parameters, such as the size
effect of FRC as well as the dimensions of FRC fracture process zone. As a result, the developed models
cannot be used effectively by the construction industry, as they require additional testing when
considering the behaviour of new types of FRC.

The main aim of this research is to develop a simplified framework for modeling the tensile characteristics
of FRC.

This research will be co-supervised by Dr Kyriacos Neocleous (k.neocleous@sheffield.ac.uk) and will

include both experimental and theoretical research.

Pre-requisite qualification
MEng , MSc

Further details
http://www.sheffield.ac.uk/ci/research/frc

Fibre Reinforced Concrete and Recycled

Fibres
Fibres are used to improve the flexural toughness and ductility of concrete. Fibre-reinforced concrete
(FRC) increases speed of construction and may even eliminate the need for conventional reinforcement.
FRC is used in a range of specialised applications, such as pavements and thin precast elements (Figure
1).
Research activities in this area include optimisation of fibre sorting and mixing methods, experimental and
analytical investigation of the structural performance of FRC, development of innovative FRC products as
well as development of analysis and design tools.

Fibres examined include industrially-produced glass and steel fibres as well as fibres produced from post-
consumer products, such as tyres (Figure 2).

Figure 1. GRC
permanent formwork (left) and cover slab (right) for drainage channels

Figure 2. Steel fibres produced from

tyre shredding

Current Topics

 Behaviour and design of thin glass fibre-reinforced concrete (GRC) elements

 Concrete reinforced with steel fibres, extracted from used tyres
 Durability of steel fibre-reinforced roller-compacted concrete
 Fatigue behaviour and design of steel fibre-reinforced roller-compacted concrete
 Slurry infiltrated fibre reinforced concrete
 Thin glass fibre-reinforced concrete (GFRC) elements reinforced with FRP rebars
 Figure 3. Placing roller-compacted concrete in
asphalt paver

Theses

Graeff A. (2011), Long term performance of recycled steel fibre reinforced concrete for pavement
applications, PhD Thesis.

Che Y. (2010), The development and behaviour of premix GRC suitable for mass produced structural
elements, PhD Thesis.

Kim G-B. (2006), Development of thin FRP GFRC permanent formwork systems, PhD Thesis.

Tlemat H. (2004), Steel fibres from waste tyres to concrete: testing, modelling and design, PhD Thesis.