• Architectural research
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• v.11 no.1
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• pp.25-33
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• 2009

This study presents the testing of 15 hwangtoh-based cementless concrete mixes to explore the significance and limitations of the development of eco-friendly concrete without carbon dioxide emissions while maintaining various beneficial effects. Hwangtoh, which is a kind of kaolin, was incorporated with inorganic materials, such as calcium hydroxide, to produce a cement-less binder. The main variables investigated were the water-to-binder ratio and fine aggregate-to-total aggregate ratio to ascertain the reliable mixing design of hwangtoh-based cementless concrete. The variation of slump with elapsed time was recorded in fresh concrete specimens. Mechanical properties of hardened concrete were also measured: including compressive strength gain, splitting tensile strength, moduli of rupture and elasticity, stress-strain relationship, and bond resistance. In addition, mechanical properties of hwangtoh-based cement-less concrete were compared with those of ordinary portland cement (OPC) concrete and predictions obtained from the design equations specified in ACI 318-05 and CEB-FIP for OPC concrete, wherever possible. Test results show that the mechanical properties of hwangtoh-based concrete were significantly influenced by the water-to-binder ratio and to less extend by fine aggregate-to-total aggregate ratio. The moduli of rupture and elasticity of hwangtoh-based concrete were generally lower than those of OPC concrete. In addition, the stress-strain and bond stress-slip relationships measured from hwangtoh-based concrete showed little agreement with the design model specified in CEB-FIP. However, the measured moduli of rupture and elasticity, and bond strength were higher than those given in ACI 318-05 and CEB-FIP. Overall, the test results suggest that the hwangtoh-based concrete shows highly effective performance and great potential as an environmental-friendly building material.

• Computers and Concrete
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• v.4 no.5
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• pp.403-424
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• 2007

The investigation of corrosion effects on the tensile behavior of reinforced concrete (RC) members is very important in region prone to high corrosion conditions. In this article, an experimental study concerning corrosion effects on tensile behavior of RC members is presented. For this purpose, a comprehensive experimental program including 58 cylindrical reinforced concrete specimens under various levels of corrosion is conducted. Some of the specimens (44) are located in large tub containing water and salt (5% salt solution); an electrical supplier has been utilized for the accelerated corrosion program. Afterwards, the tensile behavior of the specimens was studied by means of the direct tension tests. For each specimen, the tension stiffening curve is plotted, and their behavior at various load levels is investigated. Average crack spacing, loss of cross-section area due to corrosion, the concrete contribution to the tensile response for different strain levels, and maximum bond stress developed at each corrosion level are studied, and their appropriate relationships are proposed. The main parameters considered in this investigation are: degree of corrosion ($C_w$), reinforcement diameter (d), reinforcement ratio (${\rho}$), clear concrete cover (c), ratio of clear concrete cover to rebar diameter (c/d), and ratio of rebar diameter to reinforcement percentage ($d/{\rho}$).