Author Type

Graduate Student

Date of Award

1994

Document Type

Thesis

Publication Status

Version of Record

Submission Date

October 2026

Thesis/Dissertation Advisor [Chair]

Hartt, William H.

Abstract

Cathodic protection is currently recognized as the most practical mean for arresting corrosion of reinforcing steel tendons in existing concrete structures, however, its appropriateness in the case of prestressed concrete is questioned because prestressing steels are relatively susceptible to environmental cracking (hydrogen embrittlement). For the purpose of studying embrittlement tendencies a series of experiments using the slow strain rate technique were performed. The susceptibility to environmental cracking was compared for different steels corresponding to ASTM grades 270 and 250 polarized at $-$900 and $-1300$ mV (SCE) in deaerated saturated Ca(OH)$\sb2$ solutions. The influence of different notch and pit geometries was studied to simulate the behavior of corroded tendons and investigate the transition between smooth and severely notched specimen behavior. Also evaluated was the evolution of the mechanical properties of tendons after excessive polarization. The different cracking processes are discussed based on test data, fractography and exposures conditions associated with concrete structures.

Extent

148 p.

Comments

College of Engineering and Computer Science|FAU Electronic Theses and Dissertations Collection|Thesis (M.S.E.)--Florida Atlantic University, 1994.|College of Engineering and Computer Science

Identifier

FADT14999

Format

pdf

Download

Share

COinS