EXPERIMENTAL BEHAVIOR OF RPC HEMISPHERICAL DOMES UNDER CONCENTRATED LOAD AND SITTING ON FOUR SUPPORTS

Abstract

The main objective of the current research is estimating of the structure performance of reactive powder concrete hemispherical domes and the effects of the changing of its thickness and steel fiber ratio on structural behavior. The current paper presents an experimental program included casting and testing up to failure for six domes. Four of them made fully of Reactive Powder Concrete, and two made of Ferrocement Concrete. All specimens have 800 mm diameter, 400 mm height, and they were reinforced with welded wire meshes. The variables in domes are the values of thickness which are (20 mm, 15 mm), steel fiber ratio (1%, 2%) and type of concrete (reactive powder, ferrocement). A single point load applied at the crown of dome until the failure is happened. The dome is sitting on four supports. In general, the ultimate strength capacity of the dome increases with the increase of thickness, steel fiber ratio and concrete strength.