Proposed Constitutive Law of Uniaxial Compression for Concrete under Deterioration Effects

Determining Compressed Concrete Element Limit States Based on the Widths and Depths of Cracks Caused by Transverse Deformations

In the modern theory of compressed concrete elements, the most attention is paid to longitudinal deformations, whereas transverse ones are rarely considered and just within Poisson's coefficient limits (i.e., elastic concrete behavior in the transverse direction). However, transverse deformations significantly develop beyond the limits corresponding to Poisson's coefficient, where they lead to longitudinal crack initiation and development. In-depth experimental and numerical investigations of transverse deformations in the inelastic stage showed that it is necessary to consider crack propagation. The present study proposes simultaneous consideration of longitudinal and transverse deformations, as well as the appearance of cracks and their widths and depths. This allowed us to obtain a complete compressed concrete element behavior pattern at all performance stages in two types of limit states (based on longitudinal and transverse deformations). Consequently, new ultimate limit states by the depth and width of cracks caused by transverse deformations are proposed to be included in modern design practices and codes.

Experimental Verification of Theoretical Stress-Strain Model for Compressed Concrete Considering Post-Peak Stage

The theoretical stress-strain model for compressed composite cement materials' behavior without empirical coefficients was proposed by Iskhakov in 2018. This model includes the following main parameters describing concrete behavior: stresses and strains corresponding to the border between the elastic and non-elastic behavior stages of a concrete specimen, ultimate elastic strains, and stresses and strains at the end of the post-peak region. Particular attention is focused on the descending branch of the stress-strain diagram, as well as on the analysis of concrete elastic and plastic potentials. These potentials are important for assessing the dynamic response of the concrete element section, as well as for concrete creep analysis. The present research is aimed at experimental verification of the above-mentioned theoretical model. The obtained experimental results are in good agreement with the theoretical ones, which confirms the model's accuracy and enables a significant reduction in the empirical coefficients number in compressed reinforced concrete elements design. This, in turn, represents the scientific novelty of this study.

Experimental Study on Mechanical Properties and Pore Structure Deterioration of Concrete under Freeze-Thaw Cycles

Understanding the evolution of mechanical properties and microscopic pore structure of concrete after freeze-thaw cycles is essential to assess the durability and safety of concrete structures. In this work, the degradation law of mechanical properties and damage characteristic of micro-structure of concrete with two water-cement ratios (w/c = 0.45 and 0.55) is investigated under the condition of freezing-thawing cycles. The influence of loading strain rate on dynamic compressive strength is studied. The microscopic pore structure after frost damage is measured by low-field nuclear magnetic resonance (LF-NMR) technique. Then, a damage model based on the porosity variation is established to quantitatively describe the degradation law of macroscopic mechanical properties. The test results show that the relative dynamic modulus of elasticity (RDME), dynamic compressive strength, flexural strength, and splitting tensile strength of concrete decrease with the increase of freeze-thaw cycles. Empirical relations of concrete dynamic increase factor (DIF) under the action of freeze-thaw cycles are proposed. Moreover, the experimental results of NMR indicate that the porosity as well as the proportion of meso-pores and macro-pores of concrete gradually increased with the increasing of freeze-thaw cycles. The research results can provide reference and experimental support for the anti-frost design theory and durability life prediction of hydraulic concrete structures in cold regions.

Analysis of Concrete Failure on the Descending Branch of the Load-Displacement Curve

In this paper, load-displacement and stress-strain diagrams are considered for the uniaxial compression of concrete and under three-point bending. It is known that the destruction of such materials occurs on the descending branch of the load-displacement diagram. The attention of the presented research is focused on the explanation of this phenomenon. Fracture mechanics approaches are used as a research tool. The method for determining effective stresses and modulus of elasticity of concrete based on the results of uniaxial compression tests has been substantiated. The ratios necessary for the calculation were obtained without any assumptions about the reinforcement of concrete and the mechanical properties of its components. However, the effect of these properties is considered indirectly, using the stress and strain peaks determined by standard concrete compression tests. It was found that the effective stresses increase both on the ascending branch and on the descending branch of the load-displacement diagram. This explains the destruction of concrete on the descending branch of the load-displacement diagram. The results of determining the stresses and modulus of elasticity under uniaxial compression are comparable with the results obtained in experiments known in the literature.