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Definition of strength Factors affecting strength of concrete
Definition of Strength
Depends on mode of stress and definition of failure Different types of strength: compressive, tensile, flexural, shear, torsion In concrete design, compressive strength is usually of most concern.
Strength of Concrete
Influencing factors, design principles, code requirements
Influence of Time & Temp. the Maturity Concept Other types of concrete strength
Tensile and Flexural strength
Strength equation using X is: c = Axn (n = 2.6 3, depending on cement) Powers and Brownyard: c = 235X3 (MPa) - implies cement paste has an intrinsic strength of 235 MPa (This expression independent of w/c, age, etc.)
S = e-kp S0
Where S = strength S0 = intrinsic strength (i.e. at zero porosity) p = fractional porosity k depends on material
X = vol. of solid hydration products (incl. gel pores) Space available for these hydration products
More correctly:
c = f [w/c, A/c, aggregate characteristics (e.g. max.
size), etc.]
w/c: governs the pore system size and distribution Aggregates: influences paste-agg.
bond, heterogeneity of microstructure, etc.
Strength premiums of andesite concrete over quartzite concrete (Alexander & Ballim, 1987)
Physical bonding
This is mainly a function of micro and macro texture, with micro-texture often being more important
Cube Compressive Strength Indirect Tensile Strength Modulus of Rupture
Age (d) 28 28 35
17% 18% 9%
I
Volume fraction of agg.
Aggregates (contd)
Aggregates (contd)
Cube size
Cylinder test
Response of concrete to compressive stress (contd) Thus concrete fails under compressive stress by a complex, system of internal microcracking and microstructural breakdown with extensive cracking: bond cracking between aggregate and matrix cleavage cracking in the matric itself.
This cracking is largely tensile or shear/tensile in nature. As ultimate failure is approached, cleavage cracking predominates leading to final rupture
Response of concrete to compressive stress (contd) Limits of response to stress: immediate vs. microstructural breakdown vs.
creep
10oC)
Typical ratios: ft/fc = fct/fc = fr/fc = 0.07 0.11 (direct tension) 0.08 0.14 (splitting tension) 0.11 0.23 (flexural tension)
Compressive strength
1.05 1.1
Code suggestions:
CEB, direct tension: ft = ACI, flexural tension: fr = 0.3(fc)2/3 (MPa) 0.62(fc)1/2 (MPa)
Major crack development, ongoing crack development independent of increase in stress Increased micro cracking (ITZ), stress increasingly results in long-term deformations
30-40
Target strength
Consideration of statistical variability Commonly: Target strength + ~8 MPa (details in SANS)
In-situ strength
Difference between cube strength (ideal curing) and structure SANS: If the average core strength is at least 80% of the specified strength, and if no single core strength is less than 70% of the specified strength, the concrete shall be accepted
Compressive strength
Compressive strength
Testing (cube)
SANS 5860: 2006 (Dimensions, tolerances, uses of cast test specimens) SANS 5861-2: 2006 (Sampling of freshly mixed concrete) SANS 5861-3: 2006 (Making and curing of specimens)
Rebound Hammer
Rebound Hammer
Statistical reliability
e.g.: ASTM: 12 readings per area 300x300 mm, regular spaced grid
Compressive strength
Compressive strength
Void ratio
Strength decreases (significantly) with increasing porosity
SANS 5865: 2006 (Drilling, preparation and testing of compr. strength of cores taken from hardened concrete) Void ratio Reinforcement factor Equation for conversion Equivalent cube strength
Concrete Technology for Structural Engineers Workshop, May 2010 Compressive strength of concrete cores
Void ratio
Account for voids Who is to blame for low in-situ strength?
Void ratio
Void ratio
Compressive strength of concrete cores Account for steel reinforcement SABS 865: 1994
Compressive strength of concrete cores Convert core strength to equivalent cube strength
The more slender the specimen, the lower the failure load Aim at equal length-to-diameter ratio
Compressive strength of concrete cores Convert core strength to equivalent cube strength
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