Effect of stirrup arrangements on electrical and heating performances of electric activation manufactured concrete beam: Simulation and experimental investigation

Abstract

Concrete structure construction under negative temperature requires a convenient and high efficiency method under harsh environment. In this work, the feasibility of the novel electric activation (EA) curing on manufacturing the reinforced concrete (RC) beam was verified, and the effects of stirrup in EA cured RC beam on the electrical and heating performances were clarified. Four kinds of stirrup arrangement forms were designed (including 2@930, 5@250, 6@200 and 7@150 beams), and the relationship between the stirrup numbers and the resistance values was experimentally measured and theoretically established. Moreover, the heating performance results showed that the curing temperature and heating rate of EA cured structure exhibited a growing trend with more stirrups. The curing temperatures of 6@200 and 7@150 beams were 10 °C higher than that of 2@930 beam at the same curing duration. The modelling and experimental results both disclosed a uniform temperature distribution inside EA cured RC beam. Further, 6@200 and 7@150 RC beams manufactured by EA curing exhibited higher compressive strengths and maturity degrees comparing with the 2@250 beam, highlighting the beneficial effect of the proper stirrup arrangement form on the performance of EA manufactured beams. This work gives a comprehensive investigation over the relationship between the stirrup configuration of RC beam and the performance of EA cured structure.