DETERIORATION OF CONCRETE UNDER HIGH LOADS

Abstract

Microcracks exist in concrete even before any load is applied. Under high loads, these cracks propagate and lead to the deterioration of the concrete. Two loading conditions being investigated in this work were 1) concrete confined laterally using rectangular links; and 2) concrete subjected to high sustained compressive stress. In the confinement studies, different spacings of links and different thicknesses of concrete cover were used to monitor their deterioration. confinement delayed the onset of microcrack propagation and slowed down the propagation rate once it started. In the sustained load tests, the concrete was subjected to different levels of stress for a period of time. The effect on the strength of concrete depended on the level of stress. Some specimens confined with links were also tested under sustained loads.