Experiments on Axially Loaded Concrete Shells

Described herein are tests of thirteen conical concrete shells under monotonically increasing axial load conditions. The load-deformation response, internal stresses and crack propagation through the elastic, inelastic and ultimate stress ranges are presented. The properties of concrete and the behavior of the shells are varied by (1)Polymer impregnation; (2)steel reinforcement as ring stiffening and (3)general wire-mesh reinforcement. The stress-strain behavior of concrete for both reinforced and unreinforced specimens is tailored to range from strong linear elastic but brittle to tough and ductile by the combination of rubbery and brittle polymers like butyl acrylate and methyl methacrylate, respectively. The load carrying capacties for polymer-impregnated concrete specimens are found approximately 2 to 3 times that of plain concrete control specimens. Ductility for MMA/BA shell specimens is found approximately twice that of MMA specimens and 2 to 4 times that of plain concrete control specimens.