Open AccessEffects on Reinforced Concrete Slabs by Environmental Loads
Author(s) -
Alexandra Loaiza,
María Teresa Sánchez Medrano
Publication year - 2020
Publication title -
international journal of innovative technology and exploring engineering
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
ISSN - 2278-3075
DOI - 10.35940/ijitee.d1835.029420
Subject(s) - durability , carbonation , compressive strength , materials science , cement , composite material , penetration (warfare) , geotechnical engineering , environmental science , moisture , structural engineering , forensic engineering , geology , engineering , operations research
Throughout the development of accelerated testing procedures, the behavior of pure concrete specimens was evaluated for a comparison in the different effects that are generated between concrete specimens with resistance to the compression of 20 MPa (200 kg/cm2) regarding water/cement (w/c) 0.62, being this compressive the employee minimum value according to Mexican regulations and which is currently used in the construction of structural elements of the housing and specimens with compressive strength of 25 MPa (250 kg/cm2) with ratio water/cement (w/ c) of 0.55, considering that this resistance corresponds to the recommended minimum value according to criteria of durability in coastal areas to the same regulations. The different concrete structures early deterioration has been the cause of constant study in recent years, finding that their durability differs as specified in the Mexican regulations. Damages that occur in elements directly exposed to environmental influences, as in the case of roof slabs, are attributed, mainly, to errors and defects in the design stages or execution in the construction process and not to the effect of these charges. Visualizing the effect of conditions of moisture, temperature, and solar radiation on this type of structure requires years of direct observation. The mass loss and degradation of the exposed surface, as well as the penetration of the carbonation front, were established as measurement parameters. The significant mass loss registred was 0.374% in the specimens with an f’c of 20 MPa and a minor value of 0.046% in the specimens with an f’c of 25 MPa. Regarding the carbonatation front, a value of 10.7 mm was registered in the short edges of the trial specimens with an f´c of 20 MPa and 7.3 mm for the specimens with an f´c of 25 MPa. Even though the mass loss percentages were less than 1%, and considering that carbonatation triggers corrosion processes that lead to the early deterioration of reinforced concrete structures, the results obtained indicated that the increase to the compressive strength by decreasing the w/c relation, besides favoring the concrete mechanical properties, it can also increase its durability; demonstrating the necessity of designing concrete mixtures that attend the local weather conditions, and even more in the significant exposed elements such as roof slabs.