Prediction of the Residual Strength for Durability Failure of Concrete Structure in Acidic Environments

According to the results of accelerated tests of acidification corrosion depth and compressive strength of concretes subjected to sulfuric acid environments,the acidification depth laws of concretes were predicted based on the grey system theory.Thus,the remaining compressive strength was calculated when the acidification depth reached the protection layer thickness of concrete structures,which indicates that the limit state of durability failure can be defined based on strength degradation,and the calculation process was illustrated by an example.The calculated results show that the remaining compressive strength values in the durability failure limit state for the concrete structures exposed to p H=2 and 3 sulfuric acid water environments and wet-dry cyclic sulfuric acid environment with p H=2 are 74%,72%,and 80% of initialstrength,respectively.The method provides references for the durability evaluation of concrete structure design under the acidic environments.

Experimental study on the compressive strength of grouted concrete block masonry based on nondestructive detection methods

Existing nondestructive detection methods were adopted to test the compressive strength of grouted concrete block masonry,i.e.the rebound method,pulling-out method and core drilling method were employed to test the strength of block,mortar and grouted concrete,respectively.The suitability of these methods for the testing of strength of grouted concrete block masonry was discussed,and the comprehensive strength of block masonry was appraised by combining existing nondestructive or micro-destructive detection methods.The nondestructive detection test on 25 grouted concrete block masonry specimens was carried out.Experimental results show that these methods mentioned above are applicable for the strength detection of grouted concrete block masonry.Moreover,the formulas of compressive strength,detection methods and proposals are given as well.

Piezoelectric-based Crack Detection Techniques of Concrete Structures:Experimental Study

Feasibility of a wave propagation-based active crack detection technique for nondestructive evaluations （NDE） of concrete structures with surface bonded and embedded piezoelectric-ceramic （PZT） patches was studied. At first, the wave propagation mechanisms in concrete were analyzed. Then, an active sensing system with integrated actuators/sensors was constructed. One PZT patch was used as an actuator to generate high frequency waves, and the other PZT patches were used as sensors to detect the propagating wave. Scattered wave signals from the damage can be obtained by subtracting the baseline signal of the intact structure from the recorded signal of the damaged structure. In the experimental study, progressive cracked damage inflicted artificially on the plain concrete beam is assessed by using both lateral and thickness modes of the PZT patches. The results indicate that with the increasing number and severity of cracks, the magnitude of the sensor output decreases for the surface bonded PZT patches, and increases for the embedded PZT patches.

Pseudo-dynamic test and numerical simulation of high-strength concrete frame structure reinforced with high-strength rebars

This paper describes an investigation of a high-strength concrete frame reinforced with high-strength rebars that was tested in the structure engineering laboratory at Shenyang Jianzhu University. The frame specimen was pseudo- dynamically loaded to indicate three earthquake ground motions of different hazard levels, after which the test specimen was subjected to a pseudo-static loading. This paper focuses on the design, construction and experiment of the test frame and validation of the simulation models. Research shows that a high-strength concrete frame reinforced with high-strength rebars is more efficient and economical than a traditional reinforced concrete frame structure. In addition to the economies achieved by effective use of materials, research shows that the frame can provide enough strength to exceed conventional reinforced concrete frames and provide acceptable ductility. The test study provides evidence to validate the performance of a high- strength concrete frame designed according to current seismic code provisions. Based on previous test research, a nonlinear FEM analysis is completcd by using OpenSees software, The dynamic responses of the frame structure are numerically analyzed, The results of the numerical simulation show that the model can calculate the seismic responses of the frame by OpenSees. At the same time, the test provides additional opportunities to validate the performance of the simulation models.

Effect of Silica Fume on Compressive Strength of Oil-Polluted Concrete in Different Marine Environments

In the present research, effect of silica fume as an additive and oil polluted sands as aggregates on compressive strength of concrete were investigated experimentally. The amount ofoil in the designed mixtures was assumed to be constant and equal to 2% of the sand weight. Silica fume accounting for 10%, 15% and 20% of the weight is added to the designed mixture. After preparation and curing, concrete specimens were placed into the three different conditions： fresh, brackish and saltwater environments （submerged in fresh water, alternation of exposed in air ＆ submerged in sea water and submerged in sea water）. The result of compressive strength tests shows that the compressive strength of the specimens consisting of silica fume increases significantly in comparison with the control specimens in all three environments. The compressive strength of the concrete with 15% silica fume content was about 30% to 50% higher than that of control specimens in all tested environments under the condition of using polluted aggregates in the designed mixture.

Damage and deterioration mechanism and curing technique of concrete structure in main coal cleaning plants

Concrete structures in main coal cleaning plants have been rebuilt and reinforced in the coal mines of the Shanghai Datun Energy Sources Co. Ltd., the first colliery of the Pingdingshan Coal Co. Ltd. and the Sanhejian mine of the Xuzhou Mining Group Co. Ltd. In these projects, the operating environment and reliability of concrete structures in the main plants of the three companies were investigated and the safety of the structures inspected. Qualitative and quantitative analyses were made on the special natural, technological and mechanical environments around the structures. On the basis of these analyses, we discuss the long-term, combined actions of the harsh natural (corrosive gases, liquids and solids) and mechanical environments on concrete structures and further investigated the damage and deteriorating mechanisms and curing techniques of concrete structures in the main coal cleaning plants. Our study can provide a theoretical basis for ensuring the reliability of concrete structures in main coal cleaning plants.

Effect of Silica Fume on Early Performance of Precast Concrete with Early Strength Agents

The effect of silica fume on the early performance of precast concrete with an early strength agent was investigated.The ternary compounding technique of silica fume,fly ash and early strength agent were used to examine the compressive strength,heat of hydration,hydration products,and microstructures of the precast concrete.The experimental results showed that the optimum amount of silica fume in the precast concrete was 9%.Silica fume filled the fine pores between the cement particles.However,the cement hydration was mainly influenced by the waterto-cement ratio and cement particle size.As the hydration reaction continued,silica fume provided more nucleation sites,and the characteristic volcanic ash reaction increased both the hydration degree and hydration rate of the early strength agent doped cementitious materials.

Achievements of Truss Models for Reinforced Concrete Structures

Achievements are presented for truss models of RC structures developed in previous years: 1. Two constitutive models, biaxial and triaxial, are based on regular trusses, with bars obeying nonlinear uniaxial σ-ε laws of material under simulation;both models have been compared with test results and show a dependence of Poisson ratio on curvature of σ-ε law. 2. A truss finite element has been used in the nonlinear static and dynamic analysis of plane RC frames;it has been compared with test results and describes, in a simple way, the formation of plastic hinges. 3. Thanks to the very simple geometry of a truss, the equilibrium equations can be easily written and the stiffness matrix can be easily updated, both with respect to the deformed truss, within each step of a static incremental loading or within each time step of a dynamic analysis, so that to take into account geometric nonlinearities. So the confinement of a RC column is interpreted as a structural stability effect of concrete. And a significant role of the transverse reinforcement is revealed, that of preventing, by its close spacing and sufficient amount, the buckling of inner longitudinal concrete struts, which would lead to a global instability of the RC column. 4. The proposed truss model is statically indeterminate, so it exhibits some features, which are not met by the “strut-and-tie” model.

Damage Detection in Reinforced Concrete Berthing Jetty Using a Plasticity Model Approach

A conventional method of damage modeling by a reduction in stiffness is insufficient to model the complex non-linear damage characteristics of concrete material accurately.In this research,the concrete damage plasticity constitutive model is used to develop the numerical model of a deck beam on a berthing jetty in the Abaqus finite element package.The model constitutes a solid section of 3D hexahedral brick elements for concrete material embedded with 2D quadrilateral surface elements as reinforcements.The model was validated against experimental results of a beam of comparable dimensions in a cited literature.The validated beam model is then used in a three-point load test configuration to demonstrate its applicability for preliminary numerical evaluation of damage detection strategy in marine concrete structural health monitoring.The natural frequency was identified to detect the presence of damage and mode shape curvature was found sensitive to the location of damage.

Application of ultrasonic CT method in nondestructive detection of interior defects in large scale concrete structural member of bridge

The ultrasonic computed tomography （USCT） method is derived from the basic principles of X-ray section scanning. This method records the arriving times of ultrasonic wave between the probes and the sources to ealculate the elastic wave velocity values in the section using the arrival times. Through analyzed the distribution Of elastic wave velocity in aim area, the information of the strength and the homogeneity of the investigated zone could be got indirectly. The authors introduced the operational principle of USCT and a practical case of using this method to detect the interior defects in large scale concrete structural member. Compared with other exploration methods, this method is more efficient and accurate.

Effects of carbon-sequestering coral aggregate on pore structures and compressive strength of concrete

CO_(2)sequestration/storage shows considerable impacts on the pore structures and compressive strength of concrete.This paper presents a study in which coral aggregates were presoaked in Ca(OH)_(2) slurries with different solid-to-liquid ratios(i.e.0.2,0.4,and 0.6 g/mL)followed by accelerated carbonation.The effects of CO_(2)sequestration on the particle size distribution,cylinder compressive strength,water absorption,and apparent density of coral aggregate were investigated.The evolution of pore structures in coral aggregate concrete after CO_(2)sequestration was also studied.Additionally,the effect of CO_(2)sequestration on the development of compressive strength of coral aggregate concrete was explored.The results showed that CO_(2)sequestration affected the properties of coral aggregate.Moreover,the porosity of CaCO_(3) formed by CO_(2)sequestration was the highest in the concrete.With the increase of solidto-liquid ratio,the porosity of cement pastes and the CaCO_(3) increased,and more big pores existed in the cement pastes and CaCO_(3).Furthermore,the compressive strength of coral aggregate concrete when the solid-to-liquid ratio was 0.2 g/mL increased compared with that before CO_(2)sequestration,but the compressive strength reduced when the ratio increased to 0.6 g/mL.

Review on hidden trouble detection and health diagnosis of hydraulic concrete structures

A large number of hydraulic concrete structures have hidden defects such as cracks, erosion, freeze and thaw, thermal fatigue, carbonization. These hidden defects seriously affect the strength, stability and durability of structures. These problems are studied mainly by single monitoring or diagnosis methods at present. The integration of multiple monitoring and diagnosis methods is not applied widely. Besides, the analysis theory on these problems is not developed very well. The systemic study on the aging mechanism of hydraulic concrete structures, time- variation model and health diagnosis is still not enough. The support for engineering practice is limited. Aimed at these major scientific and technological problems and combined with specific projects, study on detection of hidden defects and health diagnosis of hydraulic concrete structure has been carried out. This study includes the following content: field non-destructive examination of hidden defects of hydraulic concrete structures, seepage detection, the construction of in-situ sensing system, the combination of field detection and in-situ monitoring, the mechanism of crack, freeze and thaw, erosion and carbonization of hydraulic concrete structure, mechanism of combination aging; time-variation model of hydraulic concrete structure, theories and methods for health diagnosis of hydraulic concrete structures.

Crack detection for wading-concrete structures using water irrigation and electric heating

Cracking in wading-concrete structures has a worse impact on structural safety compared with conventional concrete structures.The accurate and timely monitoring of crack development plays a significant role in the safety of wading-concrete engineering.The heat-transfer rate near a crack is related to the flow velocity of the fluid in the crack.Based on this,a novel crack-identification method for underwater concrete structures is presented.This method uses water irrigation to generate seepage at the interface of a crack;then,the heat-dissipation rate in the crack area will increase because of the convective heat-transfer effect near the crack.Crack information can be identified by monitoring the cooling law and leakage flow near cracks.The proposed mobile crack-monitoring system consists of a heating system,temperature-measurement system,and irrigation system.A series of tests was conducted on a reinforcedconcrete beam using this system.The crack-discrimination indexψwas defined,according to the subsection characteristics of the heat-source cooling curve.The effects of the crack width,leakage flow,and relative positions of the heat source and crack onψwere studied.The results showed that the distribution characteristics ofψalong the monitoring line could accurately locate the crack,but not quantify the crack width.However,the leakage flow is sensitive to the crack width and can be used to identify it.

Strength&Conduct of Reinforced Concrete Corner Joint under Negative Moment Effect

The aim of our study is to reveal the effect of steel reinforcement details,tensile steel reinforcement ratio,compressed reinforcing steel ratio,reinforcing steel size,corner joint shape on the strength of reinforced concrete Fc'and delve into it for the most accurate details and concrete connections about the behavior and resistance of the corner joint of reinforced concrete,Depending on the available studies and sources in addition to our study,we concluded that each of these effects had a clear role in the behavior and resistance of the corner joint of reinforced concrete under the influence of the negative moment and yield stress.A study of the types of faults that can be reinforced angle joints obtains details and conditions of crushing that are almost identical for all types of steel reinforcement details and the basic requirements for the acceptable behavior of reinforced concrete joints in the installations and the efficiency of the joint and this may help us to prepare for disasters,whether natural or other,as happens with tremors The floor and failure that may occur due to wrong designs or old buildings and the possibility of using those connections to treat those joints and sections in reinforced or unarmed concrete facilities to preserve the safety of humans and buildings from sudden disasters and reduce and reduce risks,as well as qualitative control over the production of concrete connections and sections free from defects to the extreme.

Influence of the column-to-beam flexural strength ratio on the failure mode of beam-column connections in RC frames

The column-to-beam flexural strength ratio(CBFSR)has been used in many seismic codes to achieve the strong column-weak beam(SCWB)failure mode in reinforced concrete(RC)frames,in which plastic hinges appear earlier in beams than in columns.However,seismic investigations show that the required limit of CBFSR in seismic codes usually cannot achieve the SCWB failure mode under strong earthquakes.This study investigates the failure modes of RC frames with different CBFSRs.Nine typical three-story RC frame models with different CBFSRs are designed in accordance with Chinese seismic codes.The seismic responses and failure modes of the frames are investigated through time-history analyses using 100 ground motion records.The results show that the required limit of the CBFSR that guarantees the SCWB failure mode depends on the beam-column connection type and the seismic intensity,and different types of beam-column connections exhibit different failure modes even though they are designed with the same CBFSR.Recommended CBFSRs are proposed for achieving the designed SCWB failure mode for different types of connections in RC frames under different seismic intensities.These results may provide some reference for further revisions of the SCWB design criterion in Chinese seismic codes.

The Behavior of Reinforced Concrete Members Under Combined Torsion and Shear

- The behavior of the reinforced concrete members subjected to combined torsion and shear is studied in this paper. Based on the skew bending failure pattern observed in tests, and according to the gradual increase in strain on the concrete surface, a nonlinear full range analysis is performed for predicting the torque-twist relationship of members under combined torsion and shear for the ratio of torsion to shear is chosen bigger than 0.5 (T/ V b> 0.5). The test results are compared with the theoretical predictions.

Shear Behavior of Novel Prestressed Concrete Beam Subjected to Monotonic and Cyclic Loading

Prestressed steel ultrahigh-strength reinforced concrete(PSURC) beam is a new type of prestressed concrete beam, which not only has a considerable compressive strength attributed to the ultrahigh strength concrete, but also ensures a certain degree of ductility at failure due to the existence of structural steel. Five of these beams were monotonically tested until shear failure to investigate the static shear performance including the failure pattern, loaddeflection behavior, shear capacity, shear crack width and shear ductility. The experimental results show that these beams have superior shear capacity, crack control ability and shear ductility. To study the shear performance under repeated overloading, seven PSURC beams were loaded in cyclic test simultaneously. The overall shear performance of cycled beams is similar to that of uncycled beams at low load level but different at high load level. The shear capacity and crack control ability of cycled beams at high load level are reduced, whereas the shear ductility is improved. In addition, the influences of variables including the degree of prestress, stirrup ratio and load level on the shear performance of both uncycled and cycled beams were also discussed and compared, respectively.

Preparation and Properties of Eco-Friendly Aerated Concrete Utilizing High-Volume Fly Ash with MgO and CaO Activators

The associated MgO in limestone is believed to affect the volume stability of cementitious materials at room tem-perature,which limits the utilization of low grade limestone.In this study,MgO was used as an alkali activator instead of partial CaO to prepare the aerated concrete under hydrother mal conditions.The expansion process was studied to evaluate the influence of the raw materials on the gas forming stability of the slurry.The pore structure(porosity,pore size and its distribution)was analyzed by the image method.The physic mechanical properties(density,strength,thermal properties)of concrete with the addition of MgO were comprehensively investigated.Besides,the mineral compositions and morphology of the hydration products were analyzed to demonstrate the infuence mechanism of MgO on the mechanical properties.Experimental results show that the final expansion rate of the slurry decreases with MgO content.A reasonable MgO content,ie,MgO/(MgO+CaO)<20%,con-tributes to improve the compressive strength,attributing to an increased reaction rate to C-S-H gel and tobermor-ite.The addition of MgO causes the thermal conductivity and specific heat to increase.The pore structure is mainly related to the amount of air entraining agent.This study has a significance for the further utilization of magnesium-rich carbonates in the autoclaved building products.

Defects in Concrete Elements: A Study of Residential Buildings of 30 Years and above in Onitsha Metropolis, Anambra State, Nigeria

Building defect is an issue in existing buildings that needs urgent tackling to prevent further problems. This study assessed the defects in concrete elements in residential buildings of 30 years and above in the Onitsha metropolis of Anambra State, Nigeria. Data collection instruments in the study include structured questionnaire, interviews, visual inspection/observations, archival records, recordings, photographs;and non-destructive testing of the concrete elements in an existing building in the study area. The population of this study constituted of the construction registered professionals and the existing buildings in study area. The sample for the study was based on the calculated sample size using Taro Yamani Formula. A total of 158 registered professionals were sampled from the population of 260. The questionnaires were purposively distributed to the registered professionals up to the required sample sizes of 158 and 129 questionnaires were properly filled and returned. The study used the SPSS and Microsoft Excel to analyze the data. The results were analyzed in percentages and figures using descriptive statistics and presented in the form of pie charts and tables. The finding of the study revealed that the causes and effects of structural defects on the concrete elements in existing buildings in the study area according to the rating are;exposed/corrosion of the embedded metals, faulty workmanship, overload and impacts, chemical attack, freeze-thaw deterioration, fire/heat, restraint to volume change. The visual observation revealed that the structural elements are characterized by heavy defects such as deep vertical, horizontal and diagonal cracks, exposed/ corrosion of the embedded metals, spalling of the concrete slabs. The existence of defects in the concrete members led to the low compressive strength of the concrete elements and the structural instability of the existing buildings as revealed by the non-destructive test. The non-destructive test result revealed that most of the tested concrete elements have low compressive strength value and such were remarked poor as they did not satisfy the assumed value. Essentially, the study concluded by recommending that regular monitoring, inspections and non-destructive testing of concrete elements should be conducted on existing aged and defected buildings to detect the structural stability of the buildings;and it is imperative to evacuate occupants from heavy structurally deteriorated and defected buildings since most of them have lost their residual design life span and ability to sustain imposed loads.

Fabric Structure for Moisture Retention Property and Its Application in Civil Engineering

The article reveals the development and analysis of fabric structure for its moisture absorbency property and its application in Civil engineering for curing of concrete. The presence of moisture in concrete and time of curing are the major influencing factors for concrete strength. Normal practice of curing is to wrap the concrete with jute woven fabric and spraying of water. The absorbency characteristics of different GSM (Gram per square meter) of woven and Non-woven fabric were studied. The Non-woven fabric absorbency is superior to woven fabric of same GSM by its three dimensional structure and high pore volume. The strength of concrete cured with Non- woven fabric is 2.1 N/mm2 higher than woven fabric of same 350 GSM. The difference in compressive strength of Non-woven fabric of 350 GSM and 750 GSM is 0.06 N/mm2 which is marginal.