Performance Evaluation of Engineered Newark Concrete Forming Tubes for Construction Applications

点击翻译按钮获取中文摘要

Millions of dollars are spent on the formwork for construction of reinforced concrete structures in North America. The poor quality formwork is one of the major sources of problem in producing bad quality concrete in the construction stage and subsequent deterioration of concrete structures in the service stage due to durability issues. With decreasing budget allocations for infrastructure maintenance, rehabilitation, and replacement, the need for high performance formwork for concrete construction is apparent. The Newark Group is one of the leading manufacturers of innovative concrete forming tubes from recycled paper products in the North America. The application of these engineered tubes as formwork can produce quality concretes through improved water resistance, handling extensive vibration/hydrostatic pressure during casting, better surface finish and enhancing concrete durability. It is essential to produce design standards and performance based specifications for the newly introduced Newark forming tubes through experimental/theoretical investigations in the construction and service stages. This research will involve extensive investigations on the Newark forming tubes to study various aspects such as performance as formwork and influence on short/long term mechanical/durability properties of various types of concretes in order to develop performance based specifications. The outcomes of this project will benefit engineers, builders and local authorities in Canada when constructing structures with the Newark forming tubes in terms of promoting aesthetic, durable, greener, efficient and sustainable construction.