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.

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.

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.

基于Reinforcing Steel本构的高强钢筋混凝土柱纤维模型研究

为了研究HTRB630E级高强钢筋的基本力学参数和疲劳性能,本文进行了应变等幅低周疲劳性能试验,并将试验结果与HRB400级钢筋的结果进行了对比分析。首先,基于应变等幅低周疲劳试验数据点,对OpenSees程序中Reinforcing Steel材料本构的疲劳参数C f、C d和α进行拟合,然后采用拟合的Reinforcing Steel材料本构疲劳三参数,基于OpenSees软件对钢筋混凝土柱有限元纤维模型进行数值模拟,最后将数值结果与试验柱结果对比分析。结果表明:拟合的疲劳三参数对有限元纤维模型有优化效果,为配置HTRB630E级高强钢筋混凝土结构数值纤维模型提供参考。

Mesoscopic Modeling Approach and Application for Steel Fiber Reinforced Concrete under Dynamic Loading:A Review

Steel fiber reinforced concrete(SFRC)has drawn extensive attention in recent years for its superior mechanical response to dynamic and impact loadings.Based on the existing test results,the highstrength steel fibers embedded in a concrete matrix usually play a strong bridging effect to enhance the bonding force between fiber and the matrix,and directly contribute to the improvement of the post-cracking behavior and residual strength of SFRC.To gain a better understanding of the action behavior of steel fibers in matrix and further capture the failure mechanism of SFRC under dynamic loads,the mesoscopic modeling approach that assumes SFRC to be composed of different mesoscale phases(i.e.,steel fibers,coarse aggregates,mortar matrix,and interfacial transition zone(ITZ))has been widely employed to simulate the dynamic responses of SFRC material and structural members.This paper presents a comprehensive review of the state-of-the-art mesoscopic models and simulations for SFRC under dynamic loading.Generation approaches for the SFRC mesoscale model in the simulation works,including steel fiber,coarse aggregate,and the ITZ between them,are reviewed and compared systematically.The material models for different phases and the interaction relationship between fiber and concrete matrix are summarized comprehensively.Additionally,some example applications for SFRC under dynamic loads(i.e.,compression,tension,and contact blast)simulated using the general mesoscale models are given.Finally,some critical analysis on the current shortcomings of the mesoscale modeling of SFRC is highlighted,which is of great significance for the future investigation and development of SFRC.

Seismic Behaviour of Beam-Column Joints of Precast and Partial Steel Reinforced Concrete

A beam-column joint of precast and partial steel reinforced concrete( PPSRC) is proposed for precast reinforced concrete frames. The PPSRC consists of partial steel and reinforced concrete. The partial steel is located in the core joint region and the connections between concrete members. This paper presents an experimental study of a series of PPSRC specimens. These specimens are tested under low cyclic loading.Experimental results demonstrate that the bearing capacity of the PPSRC specimens is 3 times that of the ordinary reinforced concrete( RC) beam-column joints. The strength and stiffness degradation rates are slower compared with that of the RC beam-column joints. In addition,the strength of the core joint region and the connections is higher than other parts of the PPSRC specimens. Beam failure occurs firstly for the PPSRC specimens,followed by column failure and connections failure. The failure of the core joint region occurs finally.Test results show that the seismic performance of the PPSRC is better than that of the ordinary RC beam-column joints.

Corrosion Measurements of Reinforcing Steel by Different Electrochemical Techniques

Electrochemical techniques of the corrosion measurements of reinforcing steeI in concrete have been evaluated. These techniques include half-cell potential measurements, impressed voltage method, impressed current method and potentiostatic polarization technique. The results of corrosion behaviour of the steel in both 5%NaCl and 5%MgSO4 show that each electrochemical technique provides some information about the condition of the steel bar or the corrosivity of the environment being evaluated, yet none provides a complete data regarding the corrosion resistance of reinforcing steel in aggressive

Improvement of Concrete Properties and Reinforcing Steel Inhibition Using a Natural Product Admixture

The use of a natural white juice, taken from magrabe banana stem, as concrete admixture to improve mechanical and physicrvchemical properties of concrete has been studied. The compressive strength, bulk density the free lime liberated during hydration and the combined water content were determined. The results indicate that the admixture acts as a retarder in most cases and as accelerator in some ones. Also, the admixture effect on the corrosion resistance of the reinforcing steel against surrounding aggressive media has been investigated using galvanostatic polarization technique. The addition of 0.2% admixture leads to the more inhibition of the

Interfacial Interaction of CFRP Reinforced Steel Beam Structures

Due to the increase of service life,the phenomenon of performance degradation of bridge structures becomes more and more common.It is important to strengthen the bridge structures so as to restore the resistance level and extend the normal service life.Carbon fiber reinforced polymer(CFRP)materials are thus used for the assembly reinforcement of bridges for the advantages of high strength,light weight,corrosion resistance and long-term stability of physical and chemical properties,etc.In view of this,based on the previous theoretical study and the established formula of the interfacial shear stress of CFRP reinforced steel beam and the normal stress of CFRP plate,this paper discusses the sensitive parameters that affect the interfacial interaction of CFRP strengthened beam structures.Through the analysis,the priority design indicators and suggestions are accordingly given for the design of reinforced beam structures.Young’s modulus of CFRP composite and shear modulus of the adhesive have the greatest influence on the interfacial interaction,which should be carefully considered.It is suggested that CFRP material with Ec close to 300 GPa and thickness no less than 3 mm,and adhesive material with Ga less than 5 GPa and 3-mm thickness can be adopted in CFRP reinforced steel beam.The conclusions of this paper can provide guidance for the interfacial damage control of CFRP reinforced steel beam structures.

Toughness of Polymer Modified Steel Fiber Reinforced Concrete

An experimental investigation is carried out to study the toughness of polymer modified steel fiber reinforced concrete. Volume fraction of steel fibers is varied from 0% to 7% at the interval of 1% by weight of cement. 15% SBR latex polymer was used by weight of cement. Cubes of size 150 × 150 × 150 mm for compressive strength, prism specimens of size 150 mm × 150 mm × 700 mm for flexure strength and, specimen of size 150 × 150 × 150 mm with 16 mm diameter tor steel bar of length 650 mm embedded in concrete cube at the center for bond test were prepared. Various specimens were tested after 28 days of curing. Area under curve (toughness) is measured and mentioned in this work.

Corrosion Behaviour and Chloride Attack of Reinforcing Steel in Presence of Concrete Admixtures

Corrosion and electrochemical behaviour of reinforcing steel embedded in cement pastes with and without concrete admixtures used in Egypt to modify concrete properties have been studied. The influence of the admixtures on the corrosion resistance of the steel against chloride attack has been studied using impressed current and impressed voltage techniques. The results indicate that the type and concentration of the admixture used have an important effed on the extent of chloride induced corrosion of the steel. The mechanism of corrosion of steel due to chloride attack is discussed.

A State-of-the-Art Review of Electrochemical Chloride Extraction for Concrete Structures

Electrochemical chloride extraction is a promising technique for the rehabilitation of concrete structures under chloride induced corrosion. This study consists of an extensive literature review of this treatment including application cases. It is found that the rate of chlorides removed is affected by the total charge passed, whereas increasing charge in a range between 1500 to 2000 Ah/m2 increases the amount of chlorides removed and this can be more effective by increasing current density instead of duration of treatment. Bound chlorides are extracted during treatment and, water works better than Ca(OH)2 as an electrolyte, possibly due to modifications on the concrete pore structure. Moreover, ECE is not efficient in repassivate structures but is efficient in its purpose of removing chlorides if treatment setup is well planned, which justifies the need for better international standards on the topic.

Numerical model for prediction of corrosion of steel reinforcements in reinforced concrete structures

Reinforced concrete structures experience alteration and degradation during their lifetime due to the corrosion of the steel reinforcements.Prevention of the steel corrosion is indispensable to avoid structural degradation.In this paper,a preventive numerical approach of corrosion of steel reinforcements is presented.An in-house program which is part of a developed software called REHA is used in the present work.The corrosion initiation time due to carbonatation and penetration of chloride ions is studied.The model is applied on a case study which concerns a reinforced concrete T-beam of a bridge.The results revealed that the penetration of chloride ions represents the unfavorable case,which leads to rapid corrosion of the steel reinforcement,and the environmental conditions do not have high influence on the crack opening width in the service and spalling phases.The objective of the present model is to act as a decision aid for including the problem of corrosion cracking of steel reinforcements when planning strategies for rehabilitation and maintenance of existing structures or when dimensioning elements of new structures.

Effect of seismic design details on hysteresis performance of SRC-RC transfer columns

Four types of seismic design details were tested using 11 transfer column specimens and one comparison specimen of RC under low cyclic reversed loading. Test results show that diagonal cracks control the failure pattern and damage occurs mainly in the RC section with weak shear capacity in the transfer columns. There is a large difference in the bearing capacity and ductility of the transfer columns according to the test results, which indicates that the strengthening effect of diverse structural measures is quite different. The section ratio of I-section-encased steel and the axial compression ratio also have a great influence on the bearing capacity and ductility. Although the bearing capacity of transfer columns with additional longitudinal bars and additional X bars is relatively large, they have poor deformation capacity. Setting more stirrups along the columns is the best structural measure to enhance the seismic performance. The studs on the I-sectionencased steel by welding can help to complete the stress transfer between the steel and concrete, and avoid performance degradation of the two materials due to bonding failure.

Test on mechanical behavior of SRC L-shaped columns under combined torsion and bending moment

Investigations of the seismic behavior of steel reinforced concrete L-shaped columns under constant axial compression and cycled bending-shear-torsion load were performed.Six specimens,which considered two parameters,i.e.,the moment ratio of torsion to bending(γ)and the aspect ratio(column length-to-depth ratio,φ),were prepared for the experiment.In this study,the failure process,torsion-displacement hysteresis curves,and flexure-displacement hysteresis curves were obtained.The failure characteristics,mechanical behavior of specimens such as the failure patterns,hysteresis curves,rigidity degradation,ductility and energy dissipation,are analyzed.The experimental research indicated that the major failures of the specimens were bending failure,bending-shear failure and bending-torsion failure as the moment ratio of torsion to bending(γ)increased.The torsion-displacement hysteresis curves were pinched in the middle,formed a slip platform,and the phenomenon of“load drop”occurred after the peak load.The bending-displacement hysteresis curves were plump,which showed that bending capacity of the specimen was better than its torsion capacity.Additionally,the energy dissipation of the specimen was dominated by torsion in the early stage and ultimately governed by the bending moment in the later phase.Test results also indicated that the displacement ductility coefficient and interstory rotation angle of the failure point were less than 3.0 and 1/50,respectively,which means the test specimen performance does not meet the requirement of the Chinese Code for Seismic Design of Buildings(GB 50011-2014)in this respect.

Structural Analysis of a RC Shear Wall by Use of a Truss Model

Purpose of present work is to develop a reliable and simple method for structural analysis of RC Shear Walls. The shear wall is simulated by a truss model as the bar of a truss is the simplest finite element. An iterative method is used. Initially, there are only concrete bars. Repeated structural analyses are performed. After each structural analysis, every concrete bar exceeding tensile strength is replaced by a steel bar. For every concrete bar exceeding compressive strength, first its section area is increased. If this is not enough, a steel bar is placed at the side of it. For every steel bar exceeding tensile or compressive strength, its section area is increased. After the end of every structural analysis, if all concrete and steel bars fall within tensile and compressive strengths, the output data are written and the analysis is terminated. Otherwise, the structural analysis is repeated. As all the necessary conditions (static, elastic, linearized geometric) are satisfied and the stresses of ALL concrete and steel bars fall within the tensile and compressive strengths, the results are acceptable. Usually, the proposed method exhibits a fast convergence in 4 - 5 repeats of structural analysis of the RC Shear Wall.

Corrosion Resistance and Physical-Mechanical Properties of Reinforced Mortars with and without Carbon Nanotubes

Following the evolution of currently enforced Performance Based Design standards of reinforced concrete (RC) structures for durability, the designer, rather than complying with given prescriptive limits, may instead specify a cementitious mix design that is proven to exhibit a code prescribed resistance level (class) to a given exposure environment. Such compliance will lead to the protection of the steel reinforcement from corrosion and the cementitious mortar from degradation, during the design lifespan of the structure, under aggressive environmental exposure conditions such as, marine or deicing salts and carbonation. In this context, the enhancement of the physical and durability properties of common cement-based mortars under chloride exposure are experimentally investigated herein. In particular, the experimental program reported herein aims to evaluate the influence of incorporating multi-walled carbon nanotubes on the physical and mechanical properties of reinforced mortars against chloride ions. Furthermore, the anticorrosion protection of cementitious composites prepared with nanomaterials at 0.2% w/w is further investigated, by comparing all test results against reference specimens prepared without any additive. Electrochemical (Half-cell potential, corrosion current) and mass loss of reinforcement steel measurements were performed, while the porosity, capillary absorption and flexural strength were measured to evaluate the mechanical and durability characteristics of the mortars, following a period of exposure of eleven months;SEM images coupled with EDX analysis were further recorded and used for microstructure observation. The test results indicate that the inclusion of the nanomaterials in the mix improved the durability of the mortar specimens, while the nano-modified composites exhibited higher chloride penetration resistance and flexural strength than the corresponding values of the reference mortars. The test results and the comparison between nanomodified and reference mortars showed that the use of CNTs as addition led to protection of steel reinforcing bars against pitting corrosion and a significant improvement in flexural strength and porosity of the mortars.

Acoustic emissions evaluation of the dynamic splitting tensile properties of steel fiber reinforced concrete under freeze-thaw cycling

This study empirically investigated the influence of freeze-thaw cycling on the dynamic splitting tensile properties of steel fiber reinforced concrete(SFRC).Brazilian disc splitting tests were conducted using four loading rates(0.002,0.02,0.2,and 2 mm/s)on specimens with four steel fiber contents(0%,0.6%,1.2%,and 1.8%)subjected to 0 and 50 freeze-thaw cycles.The dynamic splitting tensile damage characteristics were evaluated using acoustic emission(AE)parameter analysis and Fourier transform spectral analysis.The results quantified using the freeze-thaw damage factor defined in this paper indicate that the degree of damage to SFRC caused by freeze-thaw cycling was aggravated with increasing loading rate but mitigated by increasing fiber content.The percentage of low-frequency AE signals produced by the SFRC specimens during loading decreased with increasing loading rate,whereas that of high-frequency AE signals increased.Freeze-thaw action had little effect on the crack types observed during the early and middle stages of the loading process;however,the primary crack type observed during the later stage of loading changed from shear to tensile after the SFRC specimens were subjected to freeze-thaw cycling.Notably,the results of this study indicate that the freeze-thaw damage to SFRC reduces AE signal activity at low frequencies.

Effect of organic silicon quaternary ammonium salts on mitigating corrosion of reinforced steel induced by SRB in mild alkaline simulated concrete pore solution

The corrosion damage of 20 SiMn steel by sulphate-reducing bacteria(SRB)and the mitigation effect of organic silicon quaternary ammonium salt(OSA)were studied in sterilized mild alkaline simulated concrete pore solution(STR)with different additions of SRB and OSA at pH 9.35 for 28 days.Uniform corrosion occurs in STR medium while slight localized corrosion is observed in STR+OSA medium,and localized pitting corrosion occurs in STR+SRB and STR+SRB+OSA media.The largest pit depth reduces from 36.70μm in STR+SRB medium to 3.31μm in STR+SRB+OSA medium due to the mitigation effect of OSA.The corrosion rate reflected by weight loss and electrochemical impedance spectroscopy(EIS)results presents the order of STR<STR+OSA<STR+SRB+OSA<STR+SRB,which also proves that the presence of SRB can accelerate corrosion in a carbonated medium.However,OSA as an efficient bacteriostatic agent can reduce the excessive growth of SRB and thus reduce corrosion.

Axial compression tests and numerical simulation of steel reinforced recycled concrete short columns confined by carbon fiber reinforced plastics strips

To research the axial compression behavior of steel reinforced recycled concrete(SRRC)short columns confined by carbon fiber reinforced plastics(CFRP)strips,nine scaled specimens of SRRC short columns were fabricated and tested under axial compression loading.Subsequently,the failure process and failure modes were observed,and load-displacement curves as well as the strain of various materials were analyzed.The effects on the substitution percentage of recycled coarse aggregate(RCA),width of CFRP strips,spacing of CFRP strips and strength of recycled aggregate concrete(RAC)on the axial compression properties of columns were also analyzed in the experimental investigation.Furthermore,the finite element model of columns which can consider the adverse influence of RCA and the constraint effect of CFRP strips was founded by ABAQUS software and the nonlinear parameter analysis of columns was also implemented in this study.The results show that the first to reach the yield state was the profile steel in the columns,then the longitudinal rebars and stirrups yielded successively,and finally RAC was crushed as well as the CFRP strips was also broken.The replacement rate of RCA has little effect on the columns,and with the substitution rate of RCA from 0 to 100%,the bearing capacity of columns decreased by only 4.8%.Increasing the CFRP strips width or decreasing the CFRP strips spacing could enhance the axial bearing capacity of columns,the maximum increase was 10.5%or 11.4%,and the ductility of columns was significantly enhanced.Obviously,CFRP strips are conducive to enhance the axial bearing capacity and deformation capacity of columns.On this basis,considering the restraint effect of CFRP strips and the adverse effects of RCA,the revised formulas for calculating the axial bearing capacity of SRRC short columns confined by CFRP strips were proposed.