Dalian 2005

alian Summer Research Program 2005

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Christina O'Neill

University of Florida

Civil/Coastal Engineering

Tampa Bay, Florida

E-mail: coneill@ufl.edu

Topic: Experimental Study on the Strength of Concrete under Compression/Compression/Tension after being exposed to Freeze/Thaw Cycles

Mentor: Song Yupu

Abstract

The strength of plain concrete after being exposed to 0, 100, 200 and 400 cycles of freezing and thawing was experimentally analyzed using the tri-axial testing apparatus. The main variables were the different numbers of freeze/thaw cycles and six stress ratios. The failure criterion of concrete under tri-axial compression-compression-tension subject to n cycles of freezing and thawing is proposed on the basis of the 3-D concrete failure stresses that occurred at different numbers of freeze/thaw cycles and stress ratios. The proposed criterion can serve as a reference for design of concrete structures that will be exposed to cold weather and to predict the lifetime of these structures.