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Creep and cracking of concrete hinges: insight from centric and eccentric compression experiments
Thomas Schlappal1, Michael Schweigler1, Susanne Gmainer2
1Institute for Mechanics of Materials and Structures, TU Wien - Vienna University of Technology, Karlsplatz 13/202, 1040 Vienna, Austria.
Materials and Structures
|December 8, 2017
Summary
Concrete hinges experience time-dependent behavior due to creep and cracking. Limiting sustained compressive forces to 45% of capacity is crucial for preventing damage in integral bridge construction.
Area of Science:
- Civil Engineering
- Structural Engineering
- Materials Science
Background:
- Current concrete hinge design guidelines often oversimplify behavior as time-independent.
- Existing models do not fully account for the combined effects of creep and tensile cracking.
Purpose of the Study:
- To systematically investigate the time-dependent behavior of concrete hinges, focusing on creep and bending-induced tensile cracking.
- To analyze the interaction between creep and cracking under sustained loading.
Main Methods:
- Material tests on plain concrete specimens.
- Structural tests on marginally reinforced concrete hinges under short-term and long-term eccentric compression.
- Characterization of material and structural creep functions.
Main Results:
- Material and structural creep functions under centric compression showed similarity.
- Structural creep activity significantly increased under eccentric compression due to crack propagation.
- Time-dependent behavior is critical for realistic simulation of variable loads.
Conclusions:
- Realistic simulation of concrete hinges in integral bridges requires accounting for time-dependent creep and cracking.
- Permanent compressive normal forces should be limited to 45% of ultimate capacity to prevent damage under sustained loading.
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