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Experimental study of the strains generated in concrete by variations in climatic conditions

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Abstract

This paper presents the results of an experimental study on the evaluation of the strains generated in concrete by variations in climatic conditions. In this study, 0.16 m3 concrete blocks, instrumented with vibrating wire extensometers, have been subjected to varied environmental conditioning (drying/wetting) during approximately three years and the strains in the concrete, along with the internal temperatures in the blocks, and the temperatures and relative humidities of the ambient medium, have been recorded. The results of the study show that the strains in the concrete due to environmental effects can reach significant values, which may jeopardize the structural integrity of concrete structures subjected to similar effects and whose boundary conditions cannot accommodate such volume changes. Also, the experimental strains due to drying are compared with those calculated according to the American Concrete Institute (ACI) and Euro-International Committee of Concrete (CEB) recommendations.

Resume

Cet article présente les résultants d'une étude expérimentale qui a trait à l'évaluation des déformations générées dans le béton par des variations de conditions climatiques. L'étude a consisté à soumettre trois blocs de béton, de 0,16 m3 de volume, instrumentés à l'aide d'extensomètres à cordes vibrantes, à un conditionnement environnemental varié (séchage/mouillage) pendant environ trois années et à enregistrer les déformations dans le béton ainsi que les températures intérieures dans les blocs et les températures et humidités relatives du milieu ambiant. Il ressort de l'étude que les déformations dans le béton dues aux effets environnementaux agissant seuls, penvent atteindre des valeurs importantes. Ainsi, une contraction d'environ 400×10−6 m m−1, durant trois années de séchage et une expansion de 250×10−6m m−1 durant deux mois de mouillage ont été enregistrées par example. Ce niveau de déformation peut metre en danger l'intégrité structurale des ouvrages en béton sujets à des effets similarires et dont les conditions aux limites ne peuvent accommoder de tels changements de volume. Une comparaison des déformations expérimentales de retrait du béton avec celles préconisées par l'Institut Américain du Béton (ACI) et par le Comité Euro-International du Béton (CEB) est aussi entreprise dans cette étude.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Civil Engineering, Université de Sherbrooke, J1K 2R1, Sherbrooke, Québec, Canada

    B. Benmokrane, G. Ballivy & O. Chaallal

  2. Department of Civil Engineering, Université Laval, G1K 7P4, Québec, Canada

    M. Pigeon

Authors
  1. B. Benmokrane
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  2. G. Ballivy
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  3. O. Chaallal
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  4. M. Pigeon
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Benmokrane, B., Ballivy, G., Chaallal, O. et al. Experimental study of the strains generated in concrete by variations in climatic conditions. Materials and Structures 25, 149–156 (1992). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF02472428

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