PRESSURE TENSION TEST: RELIABILITY FOR ASSESSING CONCRETE DETERIORATION

Author(s): Andrew J.K. Komar, Julie Ann Hartell, and Andrew J. Boyd
Paper category: Proceedings
Book title: Proceedings of CONSEC13 Seventh International Conference on Concrete under Severe Conditions - Environment and Loading Volume I
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: 340-347
Total Pages: 961
Language : English

Abstract: In previous research, the pressure tension test was shown to be effective in assessing the loss in tensile strength of concretes subjected to various degradation mechanisms. It was found to be particularly suitable for detecting damage at early stages of deterioration due to the failure mechanism’s explicit sensitivity to the weakest microstructural features of the degraded concrete, as opposed to the traditional cylinder splitting tension test wherein tensile failure is forced to develop along the longitudinal axis of the cylinder, often giving results that do not accurately reflect damage variations or gradations within the sample. Compression testing is also often used to determine changes in structural properties, though it was found that it may not be appropriate for evaluating degradation caused by expansive reactions and softening of the cementitious material. In this study, a series of 70 loading trials was conducted to calibrate the rate response of the control system for the pressure tension test. Once calibrated, a second series of trials was conducted to examine the ultimate tensile strengths of sulfate degraded concrete cores. The controller was able to maintain the specified rate of loading to a high degree of accuracy, further increasing the consistency of the test method. The results illustrate the high repeatability of the pressure tension test for deteriorated concrete, permitting a conclusive analysis on the effects of sulfate exposure and related degradation mechanisms.

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