Abstract
The cracking of concrete is one of the main causes of limited life spans of concrete structures. Besides external actions, cracking can be induced by phenomena involving hygromechanical coupling. Such phenomena involve two types of scale effects—one related to local or global diffusion gradients, the other to size effects on cracking in concrete structures. This paper presents results of a research program on the durability of nuclear cooling towers, with minimum reinforcement, constructed with normal and high-strength concrete, when subjected to hygric and thermal gradients. To this end, a combined experimental-numerical approach is applied involving 1:2 scale structural tests and finite-element durability analysis using a probabilistic crack approach. The model is presented and then validated with experimental data. Finally, from 1:1 scale numerical analysis of the cracking due to drying, it is shown that the structural durability performance, in terms of crack opening, is governed by the evaporable water in concrete; it scales both the magnitude and the time of drying, and thus the crack opening and its long-term propagation. At higher moisture content, this durability performance is only slightly influenced by a high strength concrete matrix or by an increased steel reinforcement.
Published Version
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