Developing A Test Method To Precisely Induce And Maintain Different Crack Widths In Reinforced Concrete
School Name
South Carolina Governor's School for Science and Mathematics
Grade Level
12th Grade
Presentation Topic
Engineering
Presentation Type
Mentored
Abstract
Corrosion causes over $8.3 billion worth of damage to highway bridges each year. In reinforced concrete bridges, steel rebar is reinforced inside of concrete to give the bridge additional strength and safety. Cracks in the concrete, however, provide a path for corrosive material such as chlorides of salt water to access the rebar and cause corrosion. The relationship between corrosion rates due to chloride access and the crack widths of reinforced concrete remains unclear. The objective of this project was to experimentally develop a standard method for testing corrosion rates in cracked concrete. Small concrete blocks with reinforcement bars were built, and a crack was induced through applied forces. A replicable test method to consistently induce cracks of specified widths in reinforced concrete was devised. The most effective design proved to be the beveled inverted rectangular prism of the third generation of reinforced concrete specimens. Future research at Clemson University will apply the test method to evaluate corrosion rates and crack repair strategies.
Recommended Citation
Daniels, Julia, "Developing A Test Method To Precisely Induce And Maintain Different Crack Widths In Reinforced Concrete" (2015). South Carolina Junior Academy of Science. 37.
https://scholarexchange.furman.edu/scjas/2015/all/37
Start Date
4-11-2015 10:45 AM
End Date
4-11-2015 11:00 AM
Developing A Test Method To Precisely Induce And Maintain Different Crack Widths In Reinforced Concrete
Corrosion causes over $8.3 billion worth of damage to highway bridges each year. In reinforced concrete bridges, steel rebar is reinforced inside of concrete to give the bridge additional strength and safety. Cracks in the concrete, however, provide a path for corrosive material such as chlorides of salt water to access the rebar and cause corrosion. The relationship between corrosion rates due to chloride access and the crack widths of reinforced concrete remains unclear. The objective of this project was to experimentally develop a standard method for testing corrosion rates in cracked concrete. Small concrete blocks with reinforcement bars were built, and a crack was induced through applied forces. A replicable test method to consistently induce cracks of specified widths in reinforced concrete was devised. The most effective design proved to be the beveled inverted rectangular prism of the third generation of reinforced concrete specimens. Future research at Clemson University will apply the test method to evaluate corrosion rates and crack repair strategies.
Mentor
Mentor: Brandon Ross, Glenn Department of Civil Engineering, Clemson University