Numerical and Experimental Study on a Creative Concrete Pressure Reduction System (CPRS)

The lateral pressure exerted on concrete structures formworks is influenced by various factors, including the aggregate content and size, water-to-cement ratio (w/c), type and amount of cement, presence of silica fume, fly ash, slag, ground limestone filler, type and quantity of superplasticizer, configuration of reinforcement steel bars, rate, and method of placement, concrete temperature, ambient conditions, set time of concrete, and the dimensions, type, rigidity, and roughness of the formwork. It can be challenging, and sometimes impossible, to simultaneously control all these parameters. This research introduces an innovative system called the Concrete Pressure Reduction System (CPRS), which incorporates sacrificial perforated sheets. The CPRS effectively manages the lateral pressure exerted by the concrete and mitigates excessive pressure on the formwork. Numerical modeling demonstrated that the utilization of this system can reduce the maximum principal stress, maximum shear stress, and maximum deformation by a minimum of approximately 27%, 30%, and 25%, respectively. Deformation obtained from parametric studies were verified through experimental tests, which displayed reasonable agreement with the outcomes of the study