CRACK RESISTANCE AND DURABILITY OF PRESTRESSED WALL PANELS CONSTRUCTED FROM CELLULAR CONCRETE

Abstract

ObjectivesThe aim of the studyis to develop ways to increase the crack resistance and durability of prestressed wall panels made of cellular concrete.MethodA complex study was carried out at the stage of factory manufacturing of two-module, aerated concrete wall panels with prestressed rods of class A-III reinforcing steel, 10 mm in diameter, located in the middle of the panel in the longitudinal and transverse directions.ResultsIt was found that the total stress losses in straining rods prior to casting of the aerated concrete mix, connected with stress relaxation in the reinforce and with deformations of the headings of the straining rods in the gripping jaws, the steel mould deformations, as well as the losses after the panel exit from the autoclave during the transfer of force to the concrete, are 15-20% of the initial level. At the same time, depending on the dimensions of the straining rods, the length of the strain transfer zone was in the range of 150 to 250 mm. A study of the effect of pre-compression on the closure of possible technological cracks in concrete test panels showed that, due to biaxial compression of concrete, new cracks do not appear when they work on bending and stretching (during the decking and transportation). Moreover, initial cracks that sometimes can appear during the autoclave processing become closed.ConclusionComparative tests of prestressed and typical panels for short-term load in accordance with GOST 8829-94 requirements indicate a significant increase in their rigidity and crack resistance, as well as the shear strength of their bridge part. The design of straining reinforcing rods with the end transverse anchor in the form of a horseshoe, together with attached flat welded frameworks made of Vr-I wire with a diameter of 5 mm, which are installed along the contour of the window openings of the test panels, ensure its reliable adhesion to cellular concrete and effective anchoring in the panel's body until the end of its useful life. Biaxial prestressed reinforcement by single rods in combination with conventional frame reinforcement opens up possibilities for the production of external wall panels from non-autoclaved cellular concrete with ordinary heat treatment, instead of ceramsite concrete panels.