Effect of Shrinkage Reducing Agent and Steel Fiber on the Fluidity and Cracking Performance of Ultra-High Performance Concrete

Due to the low water-cement ratio of ultra-high-performance concrete(UHPC),fluidity and shrinkage cracking are key aspects determining the performance and durability of this type of concrete.In this study,the effects of different types of cementitious materials,chemical shrinkage-reducing agents(SRA)and steel fiber(SF)were assessed.Compared with M2-UHPC and M3-UHPC,M1-UHPC was found to have better fluidity and shrinkage cracking performance.Moreover,different SRA incorporation methods,dosage and different SF types and aspect ratios were implemented.The incorporation of SRA and SF led to a decrease in the fluidity of UHPC.SRA internal content of 1%(NSRA-1%),SRA external content of 1%(WSRA-1%),STS-0.22 and STE-0.7 decreased the fluidity of UHPC by 3.3%,8.3%,9.2%and 25%,respectively.However,SRA and SF improved the UHPC shrinkage cracking performance.NSRA-1%and STE-0.7 reduced the shrinkage value of UHPC by 40%and 60%,respectively,and increased the crack resistance by 338%and 175%,respectively.In addition,the addition of SF was observed to make the microstructure of UHPC more compact,and the compressive strength and flexural strength of 28 d were increased by 26.9%and 19.9%,respectively.

CFRP-OFBG板加固损伤钢梁抗弯疲劳试验及其寿命预测研究

为研究采用碳纤维增强复合材料(CFRP)加固后钢梁的疲劳性能,采用自主研发的具有自监测性能的智能碳纤维-光纤光栅板(CFRP-OFBG板)加固受损钢梁,在完成常幅荷载四点弯曲疲劳试验的基础上,研究不同应力幅作用下CFRP-OFBG板加固钢梁的疲劳性能。借助有限元方法,建立“三维实体”有限元模型,结合J积分计算方法求解得到加固钢梁裂纹尖端的应力强度因子,基于线弹性断裂力学理论建立疲劳裂纹扩展模型,对CFRP-OFBG板加固钢梁的疲劳裂纹扩展寿命进行预测。研究表明:CFRP-OFBG板的加固作用可有效提高受损钢梁的疲劳寿命,延缓裂纹扩展速率,改善裂纹尖端的受力状态,降低裂纹尖端的应力强度因子;在循环荷载作用下,CFRP-OFBG板加固试件的疲劳寿命均随着应力幅的增大呈现递减趋势。将试验结果与预测结果相比较,发现加固试件疲劳寿命预测值比试验值略高,分析认为,这主要是因为在有限元模拟时没有考虑到试验中CFRP-OFBG板的局部剥离。

Assessment of Deviation in Quality of Steel Reinforcing Bars Used in Some Building Sites in Cameroon

The present work evaluated the deviations in the quality of steel reinforcing bars in terms of markings, diameter, yield strength and ductility in order to facilitate the drawing up of a yield strength value for the Cameroon National Annex to Eurocode 2. The methodology of the work started with the collection of steel samples from various active building project sites in four different towns viz: Bamenda, Douala, Maroua and Yaoundé and testing their tensile strength and elongation using a Universal Testing Machine and also carrying out the bending test. Results show that bars without marked manufacturer’s name fell all the tests. Other results show that 52% of all the steel had yield stresses below 400 Mpa and the highest deviation in the yield strengths was 22.50%. The study recommends that properly marked grade 500 steel bars should be adopted in the Cameroon national annex to Eurocode 2.

Effect of Steel Fiber on Concrete’s Compressive Strength

The general goal of this research is to investigate whether steel fiber has a significant “positive” or “negative” influence on concrete compressive strength, as well as the optimal steel fiber ratio that delivers best result. Manually, cement, fine aggregates, coarse aggregates, steel fibers, and water were mixed together properly. A slump test was carried on the mixed concrete. After determining the workability, the mixed concrete was poured into cubes dimension 150 mm × 150 mm × 150 mm and left for 24 hours. After 24 hours, the samples were removed from the mold and placed in a water tank to cure for 7 to 28 days. The cube was tested for compressive and flexural strength in a universal testing machine after the samples had cured for the required 7 - 28 days. This study focuses on how to obtain high strength concrete using with steel fiber in the Conventional mix ratio to enhance concrete strength. Concrete reinforcement using steel fibers alters the characteristics of the concrete, allowing it to withstand fracture and hence improve its mechanical qualities. This study reports on an experimental study that reveals the effect of steel fiber on concrete compressive strength and the optimal steel fiber ratio that produces the best results. Steel fiber reinforcing improved the compressive strength of concrete. The average compressive strength of normal M25 concrete with 0% steel fibers and curing ages of 7 and 28 days was determined to be 22.97 N/mm2 and 25.78 N/mm2, respectively. The steel fibers are then added in various concentrations, such as 1%, 2%, and 3%, with aspect ratios of 70. The compressive strength of concrete with 1%, 2%, and 3% steel fiber with an aspect ratio of 70 was examined at 7 days and found to be 23.96, 24.80, and 26.14 N/mm2 correspondingly.

The Effects of Degradation Phenomena of the Steel-Concrete Interface in Reinforced Concrete Structures

Reinforced concrete (RC) constructions are the innovation of sustainable constructions replacing masonry constructions. Despite this, the use of concrete and steel to improve the performance of structural members in service is a recurring problem due to the immediate or overtime appearance of cracks. The objective of this work was therefore to assess the damage phenomena of the steel-concrete interface in order to assess the performance of an RC structure. Samples of approximately 30 cm of reinforcement attacked by rust were taken from broken reinforced concrete columns and beams in order to determine the impact of corrosion on high adhesion steel (HA) and therefore on its ability to resist. The experimental results have shown that the corrosion degradation rates of reinforcing bars of different diameters increase as the diameter of the reinforcing bars decreases: 5% for HA12;23.75% for HA8 and 50% for HA6. Using the approach proposed by Mangat and Elgalf on the bearing capacity as a function of the progress of the corrosion phenomenon, these rates made it possible to assess the new fracture limits of corroded HA steels. For HA6 respectively HA8 and HA12, their initial limit resistances will decrease by 4/4, 3/4 and 1/4. Based on the results of this study and in order to guarantee their durability, an RC structure can be dimensioned by taking into account the effects of reinforcement corrosion.

Quantitative Detection of Corrosion State of Concrete Internal Reinforcement Based on Metal Magnetic Memory

Corrosion can be very harmful to the service life and several properties of reinforced concrete structures.The metal magnetic memory(MMM)method,as a newly developed spontaneous magnetic flux leakage(SMFL)non-destructive testing(NDT)technique,is considered a potentially viable method for detecting corrosion damage in reinforced concrete members.To this end,in this paper,the indoor electrochemical method was employed to accelerate the corrosion of outsourced concrete specimens with different steel bar diameters,and the normal components Bz and its gradient of the SMFL fields on the specimen surfaces were investigated based on the metal magnetic memory(MMM)method.The experimental results showed that the SMFL experimental Bz curves are consistent with the analytical results of the theoretical model.Furthermore,the crest-to-trough behavior on the Bz signal curve and its zero-point gradient spacing can more accurately indicate the corroded area’s extent.Then,a magnetic characteristic parameter W based on a large amount of experimental data was established to characterize the degree of corrosion of the steel bars.The magnetic characteristic parameter W is linearly related to the maximum cross-sectional area loss rate
of the corroded reinforcement.This paper will lay the foundation for future research on corrosion detection of reinforced concrete structures based on the MMM method and provide a feasible way for non-destructive detection of corrosion independent of the influence of reinforcement diameter and magnetization history.

Corrosion Behavior of Reinforcement Steel Embedded in Cement Mortars Using Different Protection Systems

Although reinforced concrete structures are able to withstand towards a variety of adverse environmental conditions, reinforcement corrosion could lead to concrete structure deterioration. The present study examines four different ways of using corrosion inhibitors against pitting corrosion. In particular, it was investigated the chloride penetration resistance of reinforced cement mortars using corrosion inhibitor applied in three different ways. The corrosion behavior of the specimens was evaluated by electrochemical methods such as Linear Polarization Resistance and Halfcell Potential Resistance. In addition, the mass loss of steel rebars against time of partially immersion in sodium chloride (NaCl) solution was carried out in the lab. The experimental results showed that the corrosion systems examined in the study provide anticorrosion protection on steel rebars against chlorides comparing with the reference group.

Nonlinear behavior of concrete beams with hybrid FRP and stainless steel reinforcements

The full-range behavior of partially bonded, together with partially prestressed concrete beams containing fiber reinforced polymer (FRP) tendons and stainless steel reinforcing bars was simulated using a simplified theoretical model. The model assumes that a section in the beam has a trilinear moment—curvature relationship characterized by three particular points, initial cracking of concrete, yielding of non-prestressed steel, and crushing of concrete or rupturing of prestressing tendons. Predictions from the model were compared with the limited available test data, and a reasonable agreement was obtained. A detailed parametric study of the behavior of the prestressed concrete beams with hybrid FRP and stainless steel reinforcements was conducted. It can be concluded that the deformability of the beam can be enhanced by increasing the ultimate compressive strain of concrete, unbonded length of tendon, percentage of compressive reinforcement and partial prestress ratio, and decreasing the effective prestress in tendons, and increasing in ultimate compressive strain of concrete is the most efficient one. The deformability of the beam is almost directly proportional to the concrete ultimate strain provided the failure mode is concrete crushing, even though the concrete ultimate strain has less influence on the load-carrying capacity.

Health Monitoring-Based Assessment of Reinforcement with Prestressed Steel Strand for Cable-Stayed Bridge

This paper presents the method of reinforcing main girder of reinforced concrete cable-stayed bridge with prestressed steel strands.To verify the effectiveness of external prestressed strand reinforcement method.Static load tests and health monitoring-based assessment were carried out before and after reinforcement.Field load test shows that the deflection and stress values of the main girder are reduced by 10%~20%after reinforcement,and the flexural strength and stiffness of the strengthened beam are improved.The deflection and strain data of health monitoring of the specified section are collected.The deflection of the second span is 4 mm~10 mm,the strain range of the upper edge of the second span is-10με~-40με,and the strain range of the lower edge is 30με~75με.These values show the deflection and strain values fluctuate within a prescribed range,verifying the safety of the bridge.The reinforcement method of prestressed steel strand is feasible and effective.It can provide reference basis for the application of external prestressed strand reinforcement technology in similar projects.

Experimental Study on Force Behavior of Steel Rein forced Concrete Transfer Beam Structure with Basement of Large Space

本文通过转换梁及其下部柱中设与不设型钢骨架两种方案托柱式底层大空间转换层结构模型的对比试验，系统研究了其在垂直荷载和水平荷载作用下的受力性能、位移延性和破坏机制等．结果表明：型钢混凝土转换梁结构具有良好的受力及抗震性能，并提出了有关设计建议．

Influence of mill scale and rust layer on the corrosion resistance of low-alloy steel in simulated concrete pore solution

Electrochemical impedance spectroscopy, cyclic potentiodynamic polarization measurements, and scanning electron microscopy in conjunction with energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy were used to investigate the influence of mill scale and rust layer on the passivation capability and chloride-induced corrosion behaviors of conventional low-carbon（LC） steel and low-alloy（LA） steel in simulated concrete pore solution. The results show that mill scale exerts different influences on the corrosion resistance of both steels at various electrochemical stages. We propose that the high long-term corrosion resistance of LA steel is mainly achieved through the synergistic effect of a gradually formed compact, adherent and well-distributed Cr-enriched inner rust layer and the physical barrier protection effect of mill scale.

Probabilistic Lifetime Assessment of Marine Reinforced Concrete with Steel Corrosion and Cover Cracking

In order to study the durability behavior of marine reinforced concrete structure suffering from chloride attack, the structural service life is assumed to be divided into three critical stages, which can be characterized by steel corrosion and cover cracking. For each stage, a calculated model used to predict the lifetime is developed. Based on the definition of durability limit state, a probabilistic lifetime model and its time-dependent reliability analytical method are proposed considering the random natures of influencing factors. Then, the probabilistic lifetime prediction models are applied to a bridge pier located in the Hangzhou Bay with Monte Carlo simulation. It is found that the time to corrosion initiation to follows a lognormal distribution, while that the time from corrosion initiation to cover cracking t~ and the time for crack to develop from hairline crack to a limit crack width t2 can be described by Weibull distributions. With the permitted failure probability of 5.0%, it is also observed that the structural durability lifetime mainly depends on the durability life to and that the percentage of participation of the life to to the total service life grows from 61.5% to 83.6% when the cover thickness increases from 40 mm to 80 mm. Therefore, for any part of the marine RC bridge, the lifetime predictions and maintenance efforts should also be directed toward controlling the stage of corrosion initiation induced by chloride ion.

CO_(2) corrosion of X80 steel welded joints under micro-turbulence induced by welding reinforcement height

Corrosion failure accidents owing to flow erosion and pipeline corrosion frequently occur during transportation.The welding reinforcement height(WRH)can induce locally micro-turbulent flow field,which aggravates local corrosion of welded joints.A high wall shear stress(WsS)experimental setup was established to conduct the online electrochemical corrosion test.The influence of WRH sizes on local corrosion of welded joints was studied at different flow rates.The electrochemical signals of the local corrosion of X80 welded joints at different flow rates were monitored in real time using electrochemical impedance spectroscopy and wire beam microelectrode.In addition,the corrosion products composition and properties were analyzed.The results show that the micro-turbulent flow fields induced by the WRHs can enhance ion mass transfer near the welded joints.The corrosion products on the WRH surface also present different microscopic morphologies at different flow rates.In strong flow fields,the locally enhanced wsS can peel off the dense corrosion product partially,leading to the electrochemical distribution of large cathode and small anode,which accelerates the occurrence and development processes of the local corrosion of welded joints.The scientific guidelines for the corrosion protection of long-distance oil and gas pipelines can be potentially provided.

Axial Bearing Capacity of Short FRP Confined Concrete-filled Steel Tubular Columns

The bearing capacity of FRP confined concrete-filled steel tubular （FRP-CFST） columns under axial compression was investigated. This new type of composite column is a concrete-filled steel tube （CFST） confined with fiber-reinforced polymer （FRP） wraps. Totally 11 short column specimens were tested to failure under axial compression. The influences of the type and quantity of FRP, the thickness of steel tube and the concrete strength were studied. It was found that the bearing capacity of short FRP-CFST column was much higher than that of comparable CFST column. Furthermore, the formulas for calculating the bearing capacity of the FRP-CFST columns are proposed. The analytical calculated results agree well with the experimental results.

Experimental and analytical study on seismic behavior of steel-concrete multienergy dissipation composite shear walls

In this paper, a steel-concrete multi-energy dissipation composite shear wall, comprised of steel-reinforced concrete （SRC） columns, steel plate （SP） deep beams, a concrete wall and energy dissipation strips, is proposed. In order to study the multi-energy dissipation behavior and restorability after an earthquake, two stages of low cyclic loading tests were carded out on ten test specimens. In the first stage, test on five specimens with different number of SP deep beams was carried out, and the test lasted until the displacement drift reached 2%. In the second stage, thin SPs were welded to both sides of the five specimens tested in the first stage, and the same test was carried out on the repaired specimens （designated as new specimens）. The load-bearing capacity, stiffness, ductility, hysteretic behavior and failure characteristics were analyzed for both stages and the results are discussed herein. Extrapolating from these results, strength calculation models and formulas are proposed herein and simulations using ABAQUS carried out, they show good agreement with the test results. The study demonstrates that SRC columns, SP deep beams, concrete wall and energy dissipation strips cooperate well and play an important role in energy dissipation. In addition, this study shows that the shear wall has good recoverability after an earthquake, and that the welding of thin SP＇s to repair a deformed wall is a practicable technique.

Mechanical Properties of Layered Steel Fiber and Hybrid Fiber Reinforced Concrete

To explore a new structure form of fiber reinforced concrete, namely, the layered steel fiber and layered hybrid fiber reinforced concrete （LSFRC and LHFRC）, the mechanical properties of LSFRC and LHFRC, such as compressive strength, tensile strength, flexural strength, fatigue and durability were focused on. The experimental results show that LSFRC and LHFRC can improve the flexural strength of concrete by 20%-50%. In the aspect of improving the flexural strength of concrete, adulterant rate has more obvious effect than length/diameter ratio. Double logarithmic fatigue equation considered liveability was founded. The impermeability of LHFRC is superior to LSFRC and plain concrete （C）. However, the porosity of LHFRC is lower than LSFRC and C. The shrinkage of LHFRC at every age is obviously lower than C. The antifreeze durability of LHFRC is also better than C.

Seismic responses of the steel-strip reinforced soil retaining wall with full-height rigid facing from shaking table test

To investigate the seismic response of the steel-strip reinforced soil retaining wall with fullheight rigid facing in terms of the acceleration in the backfill, dynamic earth pressure in the backfill, the displacements on the facing and the dynamic reinforcement strain distribution under different peak acceleration, a large 1-g shaking table test was performed on a reduced-scale reinforced-earth retaining wall model. It was observed that the acceleration response in non-strip region is greater than that in potential fracture region which is similar with the stability region under small earthquake,while the acceleration response in potential fracture region is greater than that in stability region in middle-upper of the wall under moderately strong earthquakes. The potential failure model of the rigid wall is rotating around the wall toe. It also was discovered that the Fourier spectra produced by the inputting white noises after seismic wave presents double peaks, rather than original single peak, and the frequency of the second peak trends to increase with increasing the PGA(peak ground amplitude) of the excitation which is greater than 0.4 g. Additionally,the non-liner distribution of strip strain along the strips was observed, and the distribution trend was not constant in different row. Soil pressure peak value in stability region is larger than that in potential fracture region. The wall was effective under 0.1 g-0.3 g seismic wave according to the analyses of the facing displacement and relative density. Also, it was discovered that the potential failure surface is corresponds to that in design code, but the area is larger. The results from the study can provide guidance for a more rational design of reinforced earth retaining walls with full-height rigid facing in the earthquake zone.

Seismic performance of steel reinforced ultra high-strength concrete composite frame joints

To investigate the seismic performance of a composite frame comprised of steel reinforced ultra high-strength concrete （SRUHSC） columns and steel reinforced concrete （SRC） beams, six interior frame joint specimens were designed and tested under low cyclically lateral load. The effects of the axial load ratio and volumetric stirrup ratio were studied on the characteristics of the frame joint performance including crack pattern, failure mode, ductility, energy dissipation capacity, strength degradation and rigidity degradation. It was found that all joint specimens behaved in a ductile manner with flexural-shear failure in the joint core region while plastic hinges appeared at the beam ends. The ductility and energy absorption capacity of joints increased as the axial load ratio decreased and the volumetric stirIup ratio increased. The displacement ductility coefficient and equivalent damping coefficient of the joints fell between the corresponding coefficients of the steel reinforced concrete （SRC） frame joint and RC frame joint. The axial load ratio and volumetric stirrup ratio have less influence on the strength degradation and more influence on the stiffness degradation. The stiffness of the joint degrades more significantly for a low volumetric stirrup ratio and high axial load ratio. The characteristics obtained from the SRUHSC composite frame joint specimens with better seismic performance may be a useful reference in future engineering applications.

Hysteretic behavior of special shaped columns composed of steel and reinforced concrete(SRC)

This paper describes a series of experimental investigations on seventeen specimens of steel reinforced concrete special shaped(SRCSS) columns under low cyclic reversed loading using parallel crosshead equipment. Nine T-shaped SRC columns, four L-shaped SRC columns and four +-shaped SRC columns were tested to examine the effects of shape steel confi guration, loading angle, axial compressive ratio and shear-span ratio on the behavior(strength, stiffness, energy dissipation, ductility, etc.) of SRCSS column specimens. The failure modes and hysteretic performance of all the specimens were obtained in the tests. Test results demonstrate that the shear-span ratio is the main parameter affecting the failure modes of SRCSS columns. The specimens with small shear-span ratio are prone to shear failure, and the primary failure planes in SRCSS columns are parallel to the loading direction. As a result, there is a symmetry between positive and negative loading directions in the hysteretic curves of the SRCSS columns. The majority of displacement ductility coeffi cients for all the specimens are over 3.0, so that the SRCSS columns demonstrate a better deformation capacity. In addition, the equivalent viscous damping coeffi cients of all the specimens are greater than 0.2, indicating that the seismic behavior of SRCSS columns is adequate. Finally, the superposition theory was used to calculate the limits of axial compressive ratio for the specimens, and it is found that the test axial compressive ratio is close to or smaller than the calculated axial compressive ratio limit.

Effect of Acid Rain Erosion on Steel Fiber Reinforced Concrete

Acid rain can deteriorate the performance of reinforced concrete structure.Combined with the characteristics of acid rain in China,the properties of steel fiber reinforced concrete subjected to acid rain were studied.The effects of steel fiber content and pH value of acid rain on the mass loss,erosion depth,neutralization depth,and splitting tensile strength of tested concrete were investigated.The mercury intrusion pore（MIP） test was used to analyze the influence of steel fiber on the acid rain resistance of concrete matrix.The results show that the corrosion of steel fiber reinforced concrete subjected to acid rain results from the combined effect of H^＋ and SO4^2- in the acid rain,and steel fiber can improve the acid rain resistance of the tested concrete by improving the pore structure and enhancing the tie effect of the concrete matrix.The experiment further indicates that the optimum content of steel fiber is 1.5%compared to the various mixing proportion in this tests.The tested concrete mass loss and splitting tensile strength decrease followed by increasing as a function of corrosion time when the pH value of the simulation solution is 3 or 4,while they decrease continuously in the simulation solution at pH 2.Thanks to the tie effect of steel fiber,the spalling of concrete matrix is significantly improved,and the erosion depth and neutralization depth are less than those of conventional concrete.