Investigation of the combined effect of fatigue and aggressive environment on concrete

Author(s): M. Foglar, J. Göringer
Paper category: Proceedings
Book title: Proceedings of the Seventh International Conference on Concrete under Severe Conditions – Environment and Loading
Editor(s): Z.J. Li, W. Sun, C.W. Miao, K.Sakai, O.E. Gjørv, N.Banthia
ISBN: 978-2-35158-124-7
e-ISBN: 978-2-35158-134-6
Publisher: RILEM Publications SARL
Publication year: 2013
Pages: 148-158
Total Pages: 11
Language : English

Abstract: High stress ranges caused by cyclic loading can result into accelerated crack propagation, higher deflection, structural stiffness reduction and consequently into fatigue failure. Fatigue is defined as a process of permanent progressive changes in the structure of a material subjected to cyclic loading, i.e. cyclic loading has a deteriorating influence on structural elements.
Aggressive environment (soluble salts, acids etc.) causes a different kind of deterioration. Agents contained in the aggressive environment penetrate into the structure of concrete and reduce its matrix stiffness.
It can be assumed that the interaction of cyclic loading and aggressive environment leads to higher long-term structural damage. The combination of these effects occurs e.g. at bridges in urban environment or at crane tracks in chemical plants.
This paper presents current outcomes of long-term experimental program focused on performance of concrete specimens subjected to aggressive environment which are regularly exposed to cyclic loading. The main goal of the experimental program is to quantify the combined effect of cyclic loading and aggressive environment on concrete specimens. The specimens are stored in saline lotion and subsequently in hydrochloric acid solution (HCl) for more than five years.

Online publication : 2013
Publication type : full_text
Public price (Euros) : 0.00