Experimental Study of Cold Joint Performance in a Scaled Fiber-Reinforced Self-Compacting Concrete Diaphragm Wall Model Using: Effects of Geometric Profiles and Chemical Treatments

specimen	joint’s shape
T60-F0	Flat (reference)
T60-P0	trapezoidal
T60-T0	triangular
T60-C0	semi-circle Ø60mm
T60-R0	composite rectangular (30*30) mm (key joint)
T60-FS	Flat separated
T60-FE	Flat epoxy bonding agent (Quick mast 108)
T60-HU	hole Ø60mm injection by ultra-high-performance concrete (UHPC)

Illustrate the reinforcement layout and specimen preparation

Table 2:

Mix proportions of self-compact Polypropylene Fiber-Reinforced Concrete (SCPPFRC)

Cement [kg/m³]	Fly Ash [kg/m³]	Sand [kg/m³]	Gravel [kg/m³]	Water [kg/m³]	Admixture S.P. [kg/m³]	Polypropylene Fiber P.P.F. [kg/m³]
350	60^a	800	725	165^b	7^c	4.55^d
compressive strength, MPa at 28 days				38.71

a Fly Ash=17% of cement weight,

b w/b =40%,

c S.P./b=1.7% and

d Polypropylene Fiber =0.5% of total volume

Table 3:

Mix proportions of ultra-high-performance concrete (UHPC)

Parameter	Cement [kg/m³]	Fine Sand [kg/m³]	Gravel [kg/m³]	silica fume [kg/m³]	Water [kg/m³]	Admixture S.P. [kg/m³]	micro steel fibers [kg/m³]
ultra-high-performance fiber concrete UHPFC	950	1050	-----	195^a	206^b	39.9^c	157^d
Mix strength grade, MPa at 28 days				135.86

a silica fume=20% of cement weight,

b w/b =18%,

c S.P./b=3.5% and

d micro steel fiber=2% of total volume

Table 4:

Fresh properties result of SCC mix

Mix	Properties related to self-compact ability
Mix	Slump flow [mm]	T50cm flow time [Sec]	V-funnel - Time [sec]	L-box (H2/H1)
SCC^a	680	4	8	0.98
SCPFRC^b	615	6	21	0.76
Typical range of values (EFNARC)	650–800	2–5	6–12	0.8–1.0

[i] SCC: Self - Compacting Concrete

[ii] SC-PFRC: Self-compact Polypropylene Fiber-Reinforced Concrete

V-funnel, slump flow and L-box tests of fresh concrete

Shows the testing process of the concrete material parameters

Table 5:

Mechanical properties of concrete

The Mixing	Cubic Strength [MPa]	splitting tensile strength [MPa]	flexural strength [MPa]	Elastic Modulus [GPa]
Self-compact Polypropylene Fiber-Reinforced Concrete (SCPPFRC)	38.71	4.86	4.62	33
Ultra-high-performance concrete (UHPC)	127.34	14.13	16.65	50

Table 6:

Mechanical properties of steel reinforcements

Nominal diameter (mm)	Actual Diameter [mm]	Yield Stress [MPa]	Ultimate Stress [MPa]	Elastic Modulus [GPa]
6	5.9	405	490	200

Schematic diagram of the specimen monitoring system (unit:m)

Table 7:

Characteristic loads, midspan deflections and ductility coefficients of specimens with different joint shape

specimen	Interaction area of joints	*P_cr*	*P_yield*	*δ_yield*	*P_ultimate*	*δ_ultimate*	Ductility
specimen	[mm²/m]	[kN]	[kN]	[mm]	[kN]	[mm]	$μ = \frac{δ_{\max}}{δ_{yield}}$
T60-F0	6.00	2.74	2.72	5.04	5.14	52.92	10.50
T60-R0	9.00	2.57(↓7%) ^*	2.54 (↓7%) ^*	4.4 (↓13%) ^*	5.17(↑0.6%) ^*	47.80(↓10%) ^*	10.86
T60-P0	9.70	2.65(↓3%) ^*	2.60 (↓4%) ^*	5.25 (↑4%) ^*	5.59 (↑9%) ^*	47.75 (↓10%) ^*	9.10
T60-T0	8.49	3.84(↑40%) ^*	3.64 (↑34%) ^*	4.25 (↓16%) ^*	5.71 (↑11%) ^*	41.14 (↓22%) ^*	9.68
T60-C0	9.42	2.91(↑6.2%) ^*	2.71 (↓0.4%) ^*	4.80 (↓5%) ^*	6.01 (↑17%) ^*	43.20 (↓18%) ^*	9.00

Note: P_yield, δ_yield is the yield load and yield midspan deflections; P_ultimate, δ_ultimate is the ultimate load and ultimate midspan deflections; P_cr is the cracking load noted from experimental testing.

* Compared with reference specimen (T60-F0)

Load-deflection curves of the tested specimens with flat joints (T60-F0)

Load-deflection curves of the tested specimens with key joints (T60-R0)

Load-deflection curves of the tested specimens with trapezoidal joints (T60-P0)

Load-deflection curves of the tested specimens with triangle joints (T60-T0)

Load-deflection curves of the tested specimens with triangle joints (T60-C0)

Variation of load and midspan deflection of the tested specimens with different joints’ shapes

Ductility of the tested specimens with different joint shapes

Load-deflection curves of the tested specimen without any contact for flat joint (T60-F0)

Load-deflection curves of the tested specimen with epoxy-bonded flat joints (T60-FE)

Load-deflection curves of the tested specimens with UHPC-injected in hole joints (T60-HU)

Variation of load and midspan deflection of the tested specimens with different chemical treatments joints

Ductility of the tested specimens with different chemical treatments joint

Table 8:

Characteristic loads, midspan deflections and ductility of specimens with different chemical treatments joints

specimen	*P_cr*	*P_yield*	*δ_yield*	*P_ultimate*	*δ_ultimate*	Ductility
specimen	[kN]	[kN]	[mm]	[kN]	[mm]	$μ = \frac{δ_{\max}}{δ_{yield}}$
T60-F0	2.74	2.72	5.04	5.14	52.92	10.50
T60-FS	2.86(↑4.4%) ^*	2.74 (↑0.7%) ^*	4.20 (↓17%) ^*	5.28(↑3%) ^*	39.60 (↓25%) ^*	9.43
T60-FE	3.00(↑9.5%) ^*	2.96 (↑9%) ^*	5.00 (↓0.8%) ^*	5.57 (↑8%) ^*	41.25 (↓22%) ^*	8.25
T60-HU	3.53(↑29%) ^*	3.45 (↑27%) ^*	4.40 (↓13%) ^*	6.62 (↑29%) ^*	38.40 (↓27%) ^*	8.73

Note: P_yield, δ_yield is the yield load and yield midspan deflections; P_ultimate, δ_ultimate is the ultimate load and ultimate midspan deflections; P_cr is the cracking load,

* Compared with reference specimen (T60-F0).

Load-transverse strain curves at the midspan of the tested

Load-longitudinally strain curves at midspan of the tested specimens

References

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DOI: https://doi.org/10.2478/cee-2026-0099 | Journal eISSN: 2199-6512 (formerly 1336-5835) | Journal ISSN: 1336-5835

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Language: English

Submitted on: Feb 10, 2026

Accepted on: Feb 28, 2026

Published on: Apr 24, 2026

Published by: University of Žilina

In partnership with: Paradigm Publishing Services

Publication frequency: 4 issues per year

Keywords:

Small-scale diaphragm walls,

Lateral displacement,

Interface Shear Resistance,

Cold joints’ shape,

Chemical Treatments of cold joints,

Ductility

Related subjects:

Business and economics,

Business management,

Industries,

Environmental management

© 2026 Rana F. Yousef, Haitham H. Muteb, Ahmed Al-JanabI, published by University of Žilina
This work is licensed under the Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 License.

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Experimental Study of Cold Joint Performance in a Scaled Fiber-Reinforced Self-Compacting Concrete Diaphragm Wall Model Using: Effects of Geometric Profiles and Chemical Treatments

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