Abstract not available

Steel corrosion in reinforced concrete is a major concern to transportation agencies nationwide because of the expenses incurred for repair and ultimate shortening of bridge life. Cathodic protection (CP), as a remedy, has been applied to reinforced bridges in the US since 1974. However, application of this technique is largely empirical, lacking fundamental understanding. In order to optimize the performance of a CP system, it is important to monitor the rebar potential with respect to a reliable reference electrode. Moreover, because of potential variation in the concrete, reference cell placement is fundamental to ensure effective protection. The work plan was divided into two parts: laboratory scale experimentation and computer simulation. In the experimentation section, the response of graphite probes was compared to that of an Orion silver-silver chloride electrode. Graphite probes behaved as well as the standard electrode. Furthermore, the home-made graphite probes behaved the same as the commercial ones. This will allow much greater experimental latitude since the home-made probes are much more economical than the commercial ones. A finite difference code was developed to assess the performance of cathodic protection. The potential distribution in a two dimensional geometry of a concrete block with a sprayed zinc anode at one boundary and an iron cathode at the other side was calculated under cathodic protection. The equations were solved by means of a Gauss-Seidel iterative method with the help of an overrelaxation factor. An interval halving method was used to solve for nonlinear boundary condition at the iron. The effects of concrete pore saturation, concrete cover, and applied potential were studied to determine the degree of protection and proper placement of the reference electrode in concrete. Furthermore, a sensitivity analysis was performed versus input parameters: concrete conductivity, oxygen mass transfer coefficient, and oxygen reduction polarization parameters. The results of the simulation showed that the center of the rebar is less protected than the other locations. Therefore, the reference electrode should be located as close to the center as possible. / Graduation date: 1995

The following thesis presents the results of six full scale beams tests as part of a research program conducted at McGill University on the effect of steel fibres on the shear capacity of a beam with an aid ratio greater than 2.5. The test specimens had the following dimensions: 4400 mm long, 300 mm wide and 500 mm long. The beams had 4-25M bottom reinforcing bars and 2-20M top reinforcing bars. Two series were designed with different reinforcing details: the "BA" series contained transverse reinforcement spaced at 275 mm center to center while the "BB" series had no transverse reinforcement. The specimens were cast in three batches of two specimens from each series, with each batch containing concrete with respectively 0%, 0.5% and 1% fibres content by volume. The beams were simply supported and were tested with two equal point loads located at 500 mm from the centre of the beam. / This research project demonstrated a clear improvement of the shear capacity resulting from the use of steel fibres for the beams without transverse reinforcement. For the beams with transverse reinforcement, displacement ductility was highly increased. This suggests that fibres have the potential to reduce the congestion of the reinforcement if fibres are designed to replace partially closely spaced transverse reinforcement. Also, it was noted that a redistribution of stresses occurred resulting in the formation of more well-controlled cracks. Finally, the strength predictions using the method developed by Aoude (Aoude, 2007) agree very well with the experimental results.

Thesis (Ph.D.)--University of Adelaide, Dept. of Civil and Environmental Engineering, 2002. / Includes corrigenda (inserted at front) and list of publications published as a result of this research. Includes bibliographical references (leaves 192-199).

No description available.

Yes / A numerical method for estimating the curvature, deflection and moment capacity of reinforced concrete beams strengthened with prestressed near-surface-mounted (NSM) FRP bars/strips is presented. A sectional analysis is carried out to predict the moment–curvature relationship from which beam deflections and moment capacity are then calculated. Based on the amount of FRP bars, different failure modes were identified, namely tensile rupture of prestressed FRP bars and concrete crushing before or after yielding of steel reinforcement. Comparisons between experimental results available in the literature and predicted curvature, moment capacity and deflection of reinforced concrete beams with prestressed NSM FRP reinforcements show good agreement. A parametric study concluded that higher prestressing levels improved the cracking and yielding loads, but decreased the beam ductility compared with beams strengthened with nonprestressed NSM FRP bars/strips.

Includes corrigenda (inserted at front) and list of publications published as a result of this research. Includes bibliographical references (leaves 192-199) Investigates the overload behaviour and modes of collapse of reinforced concrete flexural members containing 500MPa grade reinforcing steel and evaluates the adequacy of current ductility requirements for design according to AS 3600 to ensure strength and safety.

Includes corrigenda (inserted at front) and list of publications published as a result of this research. / Includes bibliographical references (leaves 192-199) / xxvii, 223 leaves : ill. ; 30 cm. / Title page, contents and abstract only. The complete thesis in print form is available from the University Library. / Investigates the overload behaviour and modes of collapse of reinforced concrete flexural members containing 500MPa grade reinforcing steel and evaluates the adequacy of current ductility requirements for design according to AS 3600 to ensure strength and safety. / Thesis (Ph.D.)--University of Adelaide, Dept. of Civil and Environmental Engineering, 2002