PRESERVATION AND OBSERVATION OF MICROSTRUCTURE OF CONCRETE UNDER LOAD

A special experimental technique is developed making the preservation of the microstructure and the compressive stress-induced microcracks in concrete, as they exist under applied loads, possible. Cylindrical specimens of concrete were tested under uniaxial and triaxial compression. The resulting induced cracks were impregnated with a metal alloy, Wood's metal, that liquefies at higher temperatures (70-85 degrees C), but is solid at normal temperatures. At the stress of interest, this alloy was solidified to preserve the stress-induced microcracks as they exist under load. Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM) was employed to capture images from the cross sections of the concrete specimens. Stereology presents the geometrical statistical background for relating three-dimensional structures to their two-dimensional sections. Stereological estimates were obtained for total crack extension per unit of volume. Further, two-dimensional features of the cracks were analysed in the section plane, such as orientation distribution, and length. (A)

• Corporate Authors:

  BUILDING AND HOUSING RESEARCH CENTER

  PO BOX 13145-1696
  TEHRAN,   Iran 
• Authors:
  • NEMATI, K M
• Conference:
  • ASIAN JOURNAL OF CIVIL ENGINEERING (BUILDING AND HOUSING)
• Publication Date: 2000

Language

• English

Media Info

• Features: References;
• Pagination: p. 37-48
• Serial:
  • Volume: 1
  • Issue Number: 1

Subject/Index Terms

• TRT Terms: Concrete; Cracking; Loads
• Uncontrolled Terms: Micro
• ITRD Terms: 4755: Concrete; 5211: Cracking; 5567: Load; 9045: Micro
• Subject Areas: Materials;

Filing Info

• Accession Number: 00801602
• Record Type: Publication
• Source Agency: Transport Research Laboratory
• Files: ITRD
• Created Date: Nov 8 2000 12:00AM