Sustainability of Column-Supported RC Slabs: Fiber Reinforcement as an Alternative
Publication: Journal of Construction Engineering and Management
Volume 145, Issue 7
Abstract
Fiber-reinforced concrete has been used in structures without any additional reinforcement when the design is determined by transient load stages (precast segments for tunnels), in elements with favorable boundary conditions, and in structures subjected to low load levels (pavements or pipes). Recently, the material has been used as the primary reinforcement in elements with greater structural responsibility, such as building column-supported slabs. Several dozen buildings have incorporated this new technology, and research is being conducted on how to optimize the design while guaranteeing the required reliability levels. However, in some cases, fibers have not been used as the primary reinforcement in concrete slabs for economic reasons. In most cases, the solution is compared with existing alternatives (traditionally reinforced concrete) considering only the direct material costs and disregarding indirect costs, social aspects, and environmental factors. The building construction sector lacks sustainability rating tools to assess structural components separately (e.g., columns, floors, panels, and façades). This paper presents a new method that can be used to assess the sustainability of concrete slabs by means of a multicriteria decision-making approach including fiber-reinforced concrete. It used rigorous analyses of current concrete slab technologies and sustainability assessment tools. Criteria, indicators, weights, and value functions were specifically selected, defined, and calibrated for this research.
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Data Availability Statement
Data generated or analyzed during the study are available from the corresponding author by request. Information about the Journal’s data-sharing policy can be found here: http://ascelibrary.org/doi/10.1061/(ASCE)CO.1943-7862.0001263.
Acknowledgments
The authors thank Dr. Aitor Maturana, Associate Professor at the University of the Basque Country, for his consent to use data from his research to conduct the present study. They also thank José Hernández for his revision of the occupational risks, and Ariadna Moreno from Precon and the engineers from Copcisa, Dragados, and Sacyr for sharing data and knowledge of construction processes. This research was made possible through funding under the SAES project (BIA2016-78742-C2-1-R) of the Spanish Ministry of Economy, Industry and Competitiveness.
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Journal of Construction Engineering and Management
Volume 145 • Issue 7 • July 2019
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©2019 American Society of Civil Engineers.
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Received: Apr 13, 2018
Accepted: Dec 11, 2018
Published online: May 14, 2019
Published in print: Jul 1, 2019
Discussion open until: Oct 14, 2019
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