Deterioration and degradation of reinforced concrete infratsructures like bridges and tunnels in great communication roads take place due to a variety of factors. In this work, the deterioration of cement paste matrix caused by cracks resulting from cyclic loads was studied. Specimens of concrete with compositions similar to those used for the construction of viaducts between the '50s and '70s were manufactured. The specimens were subjected to compression cycles of different intensity. At the end of the loading cycles, samples were investigated by a non-destructive ultrasonic technique. The samples were then immersed in de-ionized water under dynamic leaching conditions to analyse the dissolution of salts from the cement paste and the corresponding leaching flows. Results showed that the leaching test can be useful to describe "the history" of the material, while the ultrasonic test may supply nearly identical measurements for specimens with different damage. The best correlation was found between the flow swiftness in reaching the steady state and the load cycles the specimen underwent.
Damage assessment of concrete by ionic flux measure from cement paste matrix
CAPUANI, Domenico;APRILE, Alessandra;
2009
Abstract
Deterioration and degradation of reinforced concrete infratsructures like bridges and tunnels in great communication roads take place due to a variety of factors. In this work, the deterioration of cement paste matrix caused by cracks resulting from cyclic loads was studied. Specimens of concrete with compositions similar to those used for the construction of viaducts between the '50s and '70s were manufactured. The specimens were subjected to compression cycles of different intensity. At the end of the loading cycles, samples were investigated by a non-destructive ultrasonic technique. The samples were then immersed in de-ionized water under dynamic leaching conditions to analyse the dissolution of salts from the cement paste and the corresponding leaching flows. Results showed that the leaching test can be useful to describe "the history" of the material, while the ultrasonic test may supply nearly identical measurements for specimens with different damage. The best correlation was found between the flow swiftness in reaching the steady state and the load cycles the specimen underwent.I documenti in SFERA sono protetti da copyright e tutti i diritti sono riservati, salvo diversa indicazione.
