Effect of Curing Conditions on the Durability of Ultrahigh Performance Concrete under Flexural Load

We experimentally investigated the effect of curing conditions on the durability of UHPC under flexuralload.Moreover,the mechanisms of the effect of curing conditions were revealed from the microstructuralpoint of view with environmentalscanning electron microscopy（ESEM）and X-ray computerized tomography（X-ray CT）.The experimentalresults show that the flexuralload has negative influence on the durability of UHPC,but UHPC stillexhibits excellent durability under flexuralload.Besides,the curing conditions do show influences on the durability of UHPC.Compared with standard and steam curing,oven curing led to a lower chloride resistance and freeze-thaw performance of UHPC.The microstructure of UHPC paste was detected with ESEM.It is revealed that,compared with standard and steam cured UHPC,the lower reaction degree and internalmicrocracks are the causes for the lower chloride resistance of oven cured UHPC.The defects distribution in UHPC before and after freeze-thaw action was investigated with X-ray CT.The number of defects in oven cured UHPC increases the fastest during the freeze-thaw action due to its more defective microstructure

Performance of Concrete Subjected to Severe Multiple Actions of Composite Salts Solution under Wet-Dry Cycles and Flexural Loading in Lab

Several action regimes were employed, namely, those exposed to solutions containing single and/or composite chloride and sulfate salts, and under wet-dry cycles and/or flexural loading. The variations in dynamic modulus of elasticity（Erd values） were monitored, as well as the key factor impacting on the chloride ingress when concrete subjected to multiple action regimes was identified by the method of Grey Relation Analysis（GRA）. The changes in micro-structures and mineral products of interior concrete after different action regimes were investigated by means of X-ray diffraction（XRD）, mercury intrusion technique（MIP）, and scanning electron microscopy（SEM）. The test results showed that the cyclic wet-dry accelerated the deterioration of OPC concrete more than the action of 35% flexural loading based on the results of Erd values and the GEA. The analyses from micro-structures could give certain explanations to the change in Erd values under different action regimes.

Degradation of Pore Structure and Microstructures in Hardened Cement Paste Subjected to Flexural Loading and Wet-dry Cycles in Sea Water

Hardened cement paste was subjected to the flexural loading and wet-dry cycles in sea water. The degradation of microstructures was obtained using scanning electron microscope （SEM）, and the energy dispersive spectrum （EDS） analysis was carried to analyze the local composition. Mercury intrusion porosimetry （Poremaster GT-60） was used to analyze the degradation of pore structures. The experimental results show that the synergistic action of the flexural loading, wet-dry cycles and sea water leads to significant deterioration of hardened cement paste. The degradation of microstructures in the tensile region is more serious than that in the compressive region. The flexural loading and wet-dry cycles accelerate the chemical attack of sea water.

Concrete deterioration under the coupling effects of flexural load, cyclic wetting and drying, and sulfate

Our research focused on the analy sis of concrete deterioration mechan ism under the coup ling effects of flexural load,cy clic wetting and dry ing, and sulfate. The relative dy namic modulus of elasticity of a corroded concrete samp le was tested, and scannin g electron microscop e was used to observe the microstructure of concrete under the coup ling effects of flexural load,cy clic wetting and dry ing, and sulf ate. Results manif ested that flexur al load and cy clic wetting and dry ing durin g the concrete service chan ged the corrosion p rocess of the sulfate mediu m in con crete and enh anced the deterioration of con crete p erforman ce.Furthermore, the influencin g p atterns of strength grade of concr ete, mass concentration of sulfate solution, and mineral admixtures on the degree of concrete deterioration were identified.

Experimental Study on Flexural Behaviour of Circular Concrete-Filled FRP-PVC Tubular Members

An experimental investigation was conducted on the flexural behavior of FRP-PVC confined concrete circular tubular members.A total of six specimens were prepared and tested under flexural loading.The main parameters varied in the tests were the layer of FRP and the strengthening approach of BFRP and CFRP.The failure modes,ultimate bending capacity and stress-strain relation curves were investigated in details.Furthermore,the relation model of moment(M)-curvature(φ)was studied,and on the basis of M-φ relation model,a simplified formula was presented to compute the ultimate bending moment capacity.The results show that the external confinement of concrete specimens by FRP-PVC tubes results in enhancing the ultimate bending strength and ultimate deformation,and the ultimate bending capacity increased with the FRP layers.Simultaneously,the reinforcement effect in CFRP is better than that in BFRP.The ultimate bending moment capacity values predicted by the presented formula agree well with the experimental results,which imply that the presented formula is applicable and efficient for prediction of the ultimate bending moment capacity as well.