Influence of sulfate crystallization on bond-slip behavior between deformed rebar and concrete subjected to combined actions of dry-wet cycle and freeze-thaw cycle

Abstract

The bond-slip behavior of deformed rebar with medium embedded length and surrounding concrete without stirrup under sulfate salt, dry-wet cycle and freeze–thaw cycle was investigated in this study. Physical crystallization of sulfate was produced by using a 3:1 drying/wetting time ratio in erosion specimens. Different concentrations of sodium sulfate solution (CSSS), different drying and wetting cycles (DWC), and different freeze–thaw cycles (FTC) were considered as environmental variables in central pull-out tests. The bond characteristics of post-yielding rebar and surrounding concrete under combined environmental factors were obtained. Scanning electron microscope and x-ray diffraction analysis were conducted to identify reaction products. The experimental results showed that CSSS and DWC had both beneficial and adverse effects on the bond strength.1% CSSS and 25 DWC were the turning points of increasing and decreasing of bond strength. The expansion force caused by Na2SO4 physical crystals improved the bond strength in the initial stage, but impaired it after the crack of pore wall of concrete in the later stage. After superimposed FTC, the bond strength was greatly reduced. Sulfate crystallization significantly accelerated the deterioration of bond strength under freeze–thaw cycles. The prediction models of the bond strength between deformed rebar and surrounding concrete after yielding in terms of single and multiple environmental factors had been established. The models can be used to predict the bond strength of post-yielding rebar and surrounding concrete in complex environments of sulfate, dry-wet cycle and freeze–thaw cycle.