In the past few decades, several researchers have studied the effects of ASR induced expansion in concrete. Several models have been proposed to model the effects of ASR in concrete. While most of these models focus on plain concrete, there is limited amount of research to model the influence of ASR expansion in reinforced concrete. Additionally, the existing models are complex and difficult to implement for practicing engineers. In this study the shortcomings with the existing models are addressed.
A minimalist semi-empirical model is developed to represent the degradation of reinforced concrete due to ASR expansion. The model is validated using historical experimental data. Only two key parameters are needed to represent the expansive behavior, specifically, the maximum unreinforced concrete strain due to ASR expansion and the rise time. Mechanical properties of the reinforced concrete are also needed.
From the predicted expansions, it is then shown that it is possible to model the number and spacing of cracks of a partly restrained reinforced concrete beam affected by ASR gels. The model is validated with recent experimental results on large scale reinforced concrete specimens. Predictions agree well with the observed number of cracks.
| Identifer | oai:union.ndltd.org:tamu.edu/oai:repository.tamu.edu:1969.1/151002 |
| Date | 16 December 2013 |
| Creators | Zhang, Li |
| Contributors | Mander, John, Park, Philip, Naraghi, Mohammad |
| Source Sets | Texas A and M University |
| Language | English |
| Detected Language | English |
| Type | Thesis, text |
| Format | application/pdf |
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