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Characterization of environmental cracking of cathodically polarized prestressing steel in a simulated concrete environment

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Date Issued:
1988
Summary:
In order to investigate the environmental cracking tendency of prestressing steel tendons under cathodically polarized conditions, a series of slow strain rate tests were conducted using smooth and notched specimens in simulated concrete porewater environments. Applied potential was varied from -0.500 V to -1.500 V(SCE) at intervals of 0.200 V, and the pH range was 8.0 to 12.5. Based on the test results presented in terms of time-to-failure, reduction in crosssectional area and load at failure, potential regimes for susceptibility to hydrogen embrittlement in saturated Ca(OH)2 solution were identified. SEM analyses performed for both notched and smooth specimens tested at -0.700 V and -1.300 V in saturated Ca(OH)2 solution showed that different fracture mechanisms operate at these two potentials. The cracking processes have been explained based on the test results and SEM analyses. Based upon the data obtained, the steel showed higher resistance to environmental cracking at pH 9.8 and 8.0 than for 12.5. The applicability of the results to cathodic protection of prestressed steel in concrete is discussed.
Title: Characterization of environmental cracking of cathodically polarized prestressing steel in a simulated concrete environment.
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Name(s): Narayanan, P. K.
Florida Atlantic University, Thesis advisor
Hartt, William H., Thesis advisor
College of Engineering and Computer Science
Department of Ocean and Mechanical Engineering
Type of Resource: text
Genre: Electronic Thesis Or Dissertation
Issuance: monographic
Date Issued: 1988
Publisher: Florida Atlantic University
Place of Publication: Boca Raton, Fla.
Physical Form: application/pdf
Extent: 81 p.
Language(s): English
Summary: In order to investigate the environmental cracking tendency of prestressing steel tendons under cathodically polarized conditions, a series of slow strain rate tests were conducted using smooth and notched specimens in simulated concrete porewater environments. Applied potential was varied from -0.500 V to -1.500 V(SCE) at intervals of 0.200 V, and the pH range was 8.0 to 12.5. Based on the test results presented in terms of time-to-failure, reduction in crosssectional area and load at failure, potential regimes for susceptibility to hydrogen embrittlement in saturated Ca(OH)2 solution were identified. SEM analyses performed for both notched and smooth specimens tested at -0.700 V and -1.300 V in saturated Ca(OH)2 solution showed that different fracture mechanisms operate at these two potentials. The cracking processes have been explained based on the test results and SEM analyses. Based upon the data obtained, the steel showed higher resistance to environmental cracking at pH 9.8 and 8.0 than for 12.5. The applicability of the results to cathodic protection of prestressed steel in concrete is discussed.
Identifier: 14472 (digitool), FADT14472 (IID), fau:11271 (fedora)
Collection: FAU Electronic Theses and Dissertations Collection
Note(s): College of Engineering and Computer Science
Thesis (M.S.E.)--Florida Atlantic University, 1988.
Subject(s): Steel, High strength--Brittleness
Held by: Florida Atlantic University Libraries
Persistent Link to This Record: http://purl.flvc.org/fcla/dt/14472
Sublocation: Digital Library
Use and Reproduction: Copyright © is held by the author, with permission granted to Florida Atlantic University to digitize, archive and distribute this item for non-profit research and educational purposes. Any reuse of this item in excess of fair use or other copyright exemptions requires permission of the copyright holder.
Use and Reproduction: http://rightsstatements.org/vocab/InC/1.0/
Host Institution: FAU
Is Part of Series: Florida Atlantic University Digital Library Collections.