The presented research project aims to provide a basis, on which physical and chemical loads can be included in the design process of reinforced concrete structures by means of appropriate material models which include deterioration aspects. As an example for…
The presented research project aims to provide a basis, on which physical and chemical loads can be included in the design process of reinforced concrete structures by means of appropriate material models which include deterioration aspects. As an example for physical and chemical deterioration mechanisms, freeze-thaw cycle loads together with the absorption of capillary water have been chosen and analyzed. In a first step, the variation of concrete elastic modulus and bond behavior due to the applied freeze-thaw cycles are monitored and analyzed. The results of this work are then implemented in a computational model developed at the University of Waterloo, Canada. The program generates the moment-curvature relation for reinforced concrete structures subject to bending and axial loads. The model is based on a layer analysis of a cross section, where the bond behavior is particularly considered. The computed moment- curvature relation is compared with data obtained from tests on freeze-thaw damaged and undamaged beams.