Papers by Author: Jian Zhuang Xiao

Abstract: A reliability analysis was conducted on high-strength concrete (HSC) columns during a fire. The influences of fire’s randomness and explosive spalling of concrete were investigated. The fire resistance for axial loading capacity of HSC columns was in terms of steel yield strength and concrete compressive strength with considering the effect of elevated temperatures. The load random variables included dead load and sustained live load. The JC method was applied to calculate the reliability index of the fire resistance of axially loaded HSC columns. It was found that the randomness of fire and explosive spalling of concrete had a significant influence on reliability of HSC columns.

Abstract: High performance concrete (hereafter, HPC) is well known by its high compressive strength, strong resistance to deformation and excellent durability. Whereas, HPC is prone to spall when exposed to high temperatures and it probably results in sharp reduction of the fire resistance and loading capacity of HPC elements and structures. This paper presents a summary of research achievements on fire-resistance behavior of HPC in the past 10 years including the mechanical behavior degradation, analysis of spalling mechanism, effect of various types of fiber and other factors influencing the post-fire properties of HPC material as well as structural behavior of HPC elements. Studies on micro-structure of HPC have been carried out, which will help build a more sophisticated recognition of its performance under high temperatures. In spite of the large number of research results, more improvement on HPC material and HPC structures are still needed because of the devastating consequences caused by strength degradation or spalling-to-collapse. Thus in this paper a new idea of HPC-composite structures is proposed, expected to decrease the probability of spalling.

Abstract: A man-made damaged model of a one-storey block masonry structure with recycled aggregate concrete (RAC) was tested on a shaking table The Wenchuan earthquake wave, El Centro earthquake wave and Shanghai artificial wave were selected and input to the model with different earthquake levels in the shaking table tests. The recycled aggregate concrete (RAC) block masonry structure was damaged firstly by cutting the tie columns and its seismic behavior was experimentally investigated. The dynamic characteristics, the displacement response, the acceleration response were record. In comparison with the intact model, there is an obvious decrease in the seismic performance of the RAC block masonry man-made damage model.

Abstract: This paper presents a review of the literature on long-term property of recycled aggregate concrete (RAC), which includes the long-term strength, shrinkage, creep, durability and fatigue behavior. Based on many investigations carried out at home and abroad, it can be apparently observed that there are many differences in long-term property between the normal concrete and the RAC. However the long-term property of RAC can be improved and guaranteed by selecting the recycled aggregates replacement percentage, optimizing the mix proportion design, appending fiber or to restrict the environmental conditions. This paper can be helpful to the comprehensive understanding and further research of recycled aggregate concrete.

Abstract: vThe 4R principle refers to reduce, reuse, recycle and regeneration, which should be implemented in the process of concrete treatment. In terms of the special micro-structural properties and self-repairing capacity, concrete is one kind of regenerative construction materials. Through proper handlings, self-repairing (crack close-up) of concrete cracks is possible in the concrete hydration damaged region. Due to the effect of heterogeneous nucleation and subsequent crystal growth of calcium hydroxide, a better bonding strength forms interlocking the new and old concrete interfaces. A proposal on the relationship between the self-repairing, regeneration function of concrete and the rehabilitation of historic buildings is suggested, this is based on the formed process of the bonding strength of the interfaces and the function on concrete repairing. Besides the constitution and features of the microstructure of concrete, the relationship between the micro-structure and the macro-mechanical property is also investigated in this paper

Abstract: With the achievements made in the research of mechanical properties for recycled aggregate concrete, this paper adopts the method of nonlinear finite element to analyze the seismic behavior of frame joints. The frame joints are made of recycled aggregate concrete. It also takes into account the bond behavior between steel bars and recycled aggregate concrete in the core area of the joints, and the force-displacement curve of the joints is calculated. Nonlinear finite element analysis shows that the results of the calculations are in accordance with the test results. It is concluded in this paper that, built models with nonlinear finite element method can be applied in simulating exactly the same seismic behavior of frame joints under low frequency reversed lateral loading.

Abstract: Concrete exposing to atmosphere suffers from changes in its internal structure, for instance loss of alkalinity of the cover concrete and corrosion of steel rebar due to carbonation, which in extreme cases affect the safety, the reliability and the durability or the service life of the structure. Carbonation is one of the key environmental actions that may cause structural failure. This study aims to gain some new information on the carbonation resistance when recycled coarse aggregates are used to mix new concrete. The concrete’s resistance to carbonation is determined by measuring the carbonation depth of 100mm×100mm×300mm concrete prisms in according to GBJ 82-85. Two series of tests including 9 groups of recycled aggregate concrete specimens are carried out, in which the effects of the quality and replacement of recycled coarse aggregates on the carbonation behavior of recycled concrete are evaluated. The essential test results are presented and discussed in this paper. Based on the findings of the present study, in order to reduce the unfavorable effects of recycled coarse aggregates on the recycled concrete, limiting the compressive strength grade of original concrete and the replacement of recycled coarse aggregate is a good option under the condition of using recycled concrete in considered projects.

Abstract: A random aggregate model of recycled aggregate concrete is developed in this paper on the base of a mixture ratio. Combining a lattice model with random aggregate of recycled aggregate concrete, lattice elements in the lattice model of recycled aggregate concrete can be classified into five types: (1) nature aggregate, (2) old hardened mortar, (3) new hardened mortar, (4) old interface transition zone (ITZ), and (5) new ITZ. The fundamental mechanical parameters of the lattice elements are chosen from the authors’ test as well as other references. A FORTRAN program of the lattice model is then written with basic theories of finite element method (FEM) for simulating the meso-structural damage of recycled aggregate concrete under uniaxial compression.

Abstract: Fracture analysis has been made for a 2 dimensional prototype of recycled aggregate concrete using the discrete cracking model. The discrete element method has been developed based on quasi-brittle constitutive law to simulate the behavior of the 2 dimensional recycled aggregate concrete prototype under uniaxial compressive loading. The relationship between stress distribution and failure mechanism of the recycled aggregate concrete plate has been investigated and analyzed. The numerical model proposed in the paper is in the first time used to analyze the mechanical properties of recycled aggregate concrete. Efficiency and accuracy of the numerical model has been demonstrated. It is indicated that this model has potential to be extended for 3 dimensional structural analysis of recycled aggregate concrete.

Abstract: In this paper, the temperature field and the thermal effects on a concrete box girder in the sunshine are investigated. For this purpose, the finite element method (FEM) package ANSYS is applied. By varying the values of different thermal parameters, the sensitivity of the thermal parameters is explored. Numerical results are presented and discussed to show the influences of the thermal parameters and the temperature field on the deflection and the tensile stress of a single-span concrete bridge with a box cross section.