• Computers and Concrete
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• v.5 no.4
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• pp.279-293
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• 2008

In the present paper a 3D thermo-hygro-mechanical model for concrete is used to study explosive spalling of concrete cover at high temperature. For a given boundary conditions the distribution of moisture, pore pressure, temperature, stresses and strains are calculated by employing a three-dimensional transient finite element analysis. The used thermo-hygro-mechanical model accounts for the interaction between hygral and thermal properties of concrete. Moreover, these properties are coupled with the mechanical properties of concrete, i.e., it is assumed that the mechanical properties (damage) have an effect on distribution of moisture (pore pressure) and temperature. Stresses in concrete are calculated by employing temperature dependent microplane model. To study explosive spalling of concrete cover, a 3D finite element analysis of a concrete slab, which was locally exposed to high temperature, is performed. It is shown that relatively high pore pressure in concrete can cause explosive spalling. The numerical results indicate that the governing parameter that controls spalling is permeability of concrete. It is also shown that possible buckling of a concrete layer in the spalling zone increases the risk for explosive spalling.

• Journal of the Korea Concrete Institute
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• v.15 no.6
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• pp.915-923
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• 2003

This paper presents the test results of total 35 direct tensile specimens to investigate the effect of high-strength concrete on the tension stiffening effect in axially loaded reinforced concrete tensile members. Three kinds of concrete strength 25, 60, and 80 MPa were included as a major experimental parameter together with six concrete cover thickness ratios. The results showed that as higher strength concrete was employed, not only more extensive split cracking along the reinforcement was formed, but also the transverse crack space became smaller. Thereby, the effective tensile stiffness of the high-strength concrete specimens at the stabilized cracking stage was much smaller than those of normal-strength concrete specimens. This observation is contrary to the current design provisions, and the significance in reduction of tension stiffening effect by employment of high-strength concrete is much higher than that would be expected. Based on the present results, a modification factor is proposed for accounting the effect of the cover thickness and the concrete strength.

• Corrosion Science and Technology
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• v.11 no.5
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• pp.157-164
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• 2012

In first experiment series, this paper is devoted for examining progress of reinforcement corrosion due to carbonation in concrete and to quantify uncarbonation depth to protect reinforcement from corroding. The tolerance of cover depth should be considered in order to prevent carbonation-induced corrosion. From the relationship between the weight loss of reinforcement and corrosion current density for a given time, therefore, the tolerance of cover depth to prevent carbonation-induced corrosion is computed. It is observed that corrosion occurs when the distance between carbonation front and reinforcement surface (uncarbonated depth) is smaller than 5 mm.As a secondary purpose of this study, it is investigated to examine the interaction between carbonation and chloride penetration and their effects on concrete. This was examined experimentally under various boundary conditions. For concrete under the double condition, the risk of deterioration due to carbonation was not severe. However, it was found that the carbonation of concrete could significantly accelerate chloride penetration. As a result, chloride penetration in combination with carbonation is a serious cause of deterioration of concrete.

• Smart Structures and Systems
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• v.17 no.4
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• pp.577-591
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• 2016

In this study, the transfer length of 2400 MPa, seven-wire high-strength steel strands with a 15.2 mm diameter in pretensioned prestressed concrete (PSC) beams utilizing high strength concrete over 58 MPa at prestress release was evaluated experimentally. 32 specimens, which have the variables of concrete compressive strength, concrete cover depth, and the number of PS strands, were fabricated and corresponding transfer lengths were measured. The strands were released gradually by slowly reducing the pressure in the hydraulic stressing rams. The measured results of transfer length showed that the transfer length decreased as the concrete compressive strength and concrete cover depth increased. The number of strands had a very small effect, and the effect varied with both the concrete cover depth and concrete strength. The results were compared to current design codes and transfer lengths predicted by other researchers. The comparison results showed that the current transfer length prediction models in design codes may be conservatively used for 2400 MPa high-strength strands in high-strength concrete beams exceeding 58 MPa at prestress release.

• Structural Engineering and Mechanics
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• v.30 no.6
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• pp.713-732
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• 2008

Serviceability and durability of the concrete members can be seriously affected by the corrosion of steel rebar. Carbonation front and or chloride ingress can destroy the passive film on rebar and may set the corrosion (oxidation process). Depending on the level of oxidation (expansive corrosion products/rust) damage to the cover concrete takes place in the form of expansion, cracking and spalling or delamination. This makes the concrete unable to develop forces through bond and also become unprotected against further degradation from corrosion; and thus marks the end of service life for corrosion-affected structures. This paper presents an analytical model that predicts the weight loss of steel rebar and the corresponding time from onset of corrosion for the known corrosion rate and thus can be used for the determination of time to cover cracking in corrosion affected RC member. This model uses fully the thick-walled cylinder approach. The gradual crack propagation in radial directions (from inside) is considered when the circumferential tensile stresses at the inner surface of intact concrete have reached the tensile strength of concrete. The analysis is done separately with and without considering the stiffness of reinforcing steel and rust combine along with the assumption of zero residual strength of cracked concrete. The model accounts for the time required for corrosion products to fill a porous zone before they start inducing expansive pressure on the concrete surrounding the steel rebar. The capability of the model to produce the experimental trends is demonstrated by comparing the model's predictions with the results of experimental data published in the literature. The effect of considering the corroded reinforcing steel bar stiffness is demonstrated. A sensitivity analysis has also been carried out to show the influence of the various parameters. It has been found that material properties and their inter-relations significantly influence weight loss of rebar. Time to cover cracking from onset of corrosion for the same weight loss is influenced by corrosion rate and state of oxidation of corrosion product formed. Time to cover cracking from onset of corrosion is useful in making certain decisions pertaining to inspection, repair, rehabilitation, replacement and demolition of RC member/structure in corrosive environment.

• Journal of the Korea Concrete Institute
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• v.23 no.6
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• pp.791-797
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• 2011

This paper presents the test results of 12 direct tensile specimens to investigate the effect of cover thickness on the tension stiffening behavior in axially loaded reinforced concrete tensile members. Six concrete cover thickness ratios are selected as a main experimental parameter. The results showed that, as cover thickness became thinner, more extensive split cracking along the reinforcement occurred and transverse crack spacing became smaller, making the effective tensile stiffness of thin specimens at the stabilized cracking stage to be much smaller than that of thick specimens. This observation is not implemented in the current design provisions, in which the significant reduction of tension stiffening effect can be achieved by applying thinner cover thickness. Based on the present results, a modified tension stiffening factor is proposed to account for the effect of the cover thickness.

• Structural Engineering and Mechanics
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• v.61 no.6
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• pp.711-719
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• 2017

This study investigates the effects of reinforcing bar diameter and cover depth on the shrinkage behavior of restrained ultra-high-performance fiber-reinforced concrete (UHPFRC) slabs. For this, twelve large-sized UHPFRC slabs with three different rebar diameters ($d_b=9.5$, 15.9, and 22.2 mm) and four different cover depths (h=5, 10, 20, and 30 mm) were fabricated. In addition, a large-sized UHPFRC slab without steel rebar was fabricated for evaluating degree of restraint. Test results revealed that the uses of steel rebar with a large diameter, leading to a larger reinforcement ratio, and a low cover depth are unfavorable regarding the restrained shrinkage performance of UHPFRC slabs, since a larger rebar diameter and a lower cover depth result in a higher degree of restraint. The shrinkage strain near the exposed surface was high because of water evaporation. However, below a depth of 18 mm, the shrinkage strain was seldom influenced by the cover depth; this was because of the very dense microstructure of UHPFRC. Finally, owing to their superior tensile strength, all UHPFRC slabs with steel rebars tested in this study showed no shrinkage cracks until 30 days.

• Structural Engineering and Mechanics
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• v.37 no.6
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• pp.649-669
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• 2011

In this paper an analytical model is presented that addresses the compressive response of short-fiber reinforced concrete members (FRC) with hooked steel fibers. This model is applicable to a wide range of concrete strengths and accounts for the interaction between the cover spalling and the concrete core confinement induced by transverse steel stirrups and also for buckling of longitudinal reinforcing bars. The load-shortening curves generated here analytically fit existing experimental data well.

• Journal of the Korea Concrete Institute
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• v.14 no.6
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• pp.851-863
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• 2002

Corrosion products of reinforcement in concrete induce pressure to the adjacent concrete due to the expansion of steel. This expansion causes tensile stresses around the reinforcing bar and eventually induces cracking through the concrete cover The cracking of concrete cover will adversely affect the safety as well as the service life of concrete structures. The purpose of the this study is to examine the critical corrosion amount which causes the cracking of concrete cover. To this end, a comprehensive experimental and theoretical study has been conducted. Major test variables include concrete strength and cover thickness. The strains at the surface of concrete cover have been measured according to the amount of steel corrosion. The corrosion products which penetrate into the pores and cracks around the steel bar have been considered in the calculation of expansive pressure due to steel corrosion. The present study indicates that the critical amount of corrosion, which causes the initiation of cracking, increases with an increase of compressive strength. A realistic relation between the expansive pressure and average strain of corrosion product layer in the corrosion region has been derived and the representative stiffness of corrosion layer was determined. A concept of pressure-free strain of corrosion product layer was introduced to explain the relation between the expansive pressure and corrosion strain. The proposed theory agrees well with experimental data and may be a good base for the realistic durability design of concrete structures.

• Fire Science and Engineering
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• v.25 no.1
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• pp.78-84
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• 2011

Recent researches of the fire resistance in concrete focus on how to secure relevant functions in the high strength concrete. However, the demand of normal strength concrete less than 40 MPa takes most of the total concrete demand. Therefore, fire resistance study needs to cover not only high strength concretes but also normal strength concretes. This study evaluated the fire resistance performance of 40 MPa concrete columns, taking the concrete covering thickness and the size of section as variables. Consequently, the fire resistance performance improved as the section size and the covering thickness became larger.