Nonlinear finite element analysis of strength and durability of reinforced concrete and composite structures

The finite element method has emerged as the most powerful and versatile numerical method for solving a wide range of physical problems in science and engineering. Today a large number of commercial programs exist that can be used to solve diverse problems in structural and fluid mechanics, heat transfer and many other phenomena. However, certain critical problems related to durability of concrete structures, especially corrosion of reinforcement, cannot be readily solved using the available software. This paper presents two finite element formulations, developed by the writers, one dealing with the nonlinear analysis of composite concrete-steel bridges, and the other with the durability of concrete structures, with emphasis on the corrosion of reinforcement. The validity and accuracy of the proposed models are demonstrated by comparing their results with appropriate experimental data

Implementing Rapid Durability Measure for Concrete Using Resistivity and Formation Factor

The durability of in-place concrete is a high priority issue for concrete pavements and bridges. Several studies have been conducted by INDOT to use electrical resistivity as a measure of fluid transport properties. Resistivity is dependent on the chemistry of the cement and supplementary cementitious system used, as such it has been recommended that rather than specifying resistivity it may be more general to specify the formation factor. Samples were tested to establish the current levels of performance for concrete pavements in the state of Indiana. Temperature and moisture corrections are presented and acceptable accelerated aging procedure is presented. A standardized testing procedure was developed (AASHTO TP 119–Option A) resulting in part from this study that provides specific sample conditioning approaches to address pore solution composition, moisture conditioning, and testing procedures. An accelerated aging procedure is discussed to obtain later age properties (91 days) after only 28 days

Three-dimensional characterization of the steel-concrete interface by FIB-SEM nanotomography

While it is widely accepted that the steel-concrete interface (SCI) plays an important role in governing the long-term durability of reinforced concrete structures, understanding about the primary features of the SCI that influence corrosion degradation mechanisms has remained elusive. This lack of knowledge can be attributed, on the one hand, to the complex heterogeneous nature of the SCI, and, on the other hand, the absence of experimental techniques suitable for studying the relevant features of the SCI. Here, we use focused ion beam - scanning electron microscopy (FIB-SEM) nanotomography to obtain high resolution 3D tomograms of the steel-concrete interfacial zone. Five tomograms, spanning volumes ranging from 8,000 to 200,000 cubic micrometer, were acquired for situations representative of both non-corroded and corroded SCIs. The achieved voxel size falls within the range of 30-50 nm, thus providing a resolution clearly surpassing the capabilities of computed X-ray tomography. This resolution enables the 3D characterization of the microstructure at the capillary scale, which is the scale at which relevant corrosion and related mass transport processes occur. Thus, FIB-SEM nanotomography is capable of yielding datasets of the SCI that serve as basis for the generation of digital twins of the interfacial microstructure, thereby enabling future studies about durability and corrosion of reinforced concrete at the pore scale

Effects of neonatal gonadal steroids on adult CA3 pyramidal neuron dendritic morphology and spatial memory in rats

The hippocampus is implicated in spatial cognition, which is sexually dimorphic and developmentally sensitive to gonadal steroids. Previously we have shown a sex difference in CA3 pyramidal cell layer volume and neuronal soma size that was reversible with neonatal castration in males or prenatal treatment of females with either testosterone propionate (TP) or a nonaromatizable androgen, dihydrotestosterone propionate, but not estradiol benzoate, all of which correlated with adult water maze navigation. The present study further investigates developmental androgen sensitivity of CA3 pyramidal neurons by measuring dendritic morphology and its relation to adult spatial ability. Female rats were injected with TP on postnatal day (P) 3 and P5 or ovariectomized (OVX) on P2, and male rats were castrated on P2, with or without testosterone replacement (Cas+T). Sham surgery controls were also included. Animals were tested on a water maze in adulthood, sacrificed, and CA3 pyramidal neurons were Golgi-stained and reconstructed in three dimensions using a computer-interfaced morphometry system. High-androgen groups (control males, Cas+T, TP females) performed better in spatial navigation and exhibited CA3 neurons with longer dendrites, a larger number of dendritic branches, and volumes of influence compared to low-androgen groups (control females, castrated males, OVX). Collectively, these findings indicate that the critical time period for organizational effects of androgens on the CA3 pyramidal neurons includes both prenatal and postnatal life, during which time androgens regulate developmental events such as somal growth and neuronal differentiation, all of which significantly contribute to establishing the sex difference in adult spatial navigation. © 2003 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Neurobiol 55: 179–190, 2003Peer Reviewedhttp://deepblue.lib.umich.edu/bitstream/2027.42/34483/1/10200_ftp.pd

Beyond the chloride threshold concept for predicting corrosion of steel in concrete

All existing models to forecast the corrosion performance of reinforced concrete structures exposed to chloride environments are based on one common theoretical concept, namely, a chloride threshold, as a sharply defined trigger for corrosion, followed by a period of active corrosion. We critically review the resulting treatment of corrosion initiation and propagation as two distinct, successive stages. We conclude that this concept presents a major barrier for developing reliable corrosion forecast models, and that a new approach is needed. In reality, steel corrosion in concrete is a continuous process, that is, rarely separable into uncoupled, sequential phases. We propose that the focus be placed on the quantification of the time- and space-variant corrosion rate from the moment steel is placed in concrete until it reaches the end of the service life. To achieve this, a multi-scale and multi-disciplinary approach is required to combine the scientific and practical contributions from materials science, corrosion science, cement/concrete research, and structural engineering.acceptedVersio

Impact of chronic stress protocols in learning and memory in rodents: systematic review and meta-analysis

The idea that maladaptive stress impairs cognitive function has been a cornerstone of decades in basic and clinical research. However, disparate findings have reinforced the need to aggregate results from multiple sources in order to confirm the validity of such statement. In this work, a systematic review and meta-analyses were performed to aggregate results from rodent studies investigating the impact of chronic stress on learning and memory. Results obtained from the included studies revealed a significant effect of stress on global cognitive performance. In addition, stressed rodents presented worse consolidation of learned memories, although no significantly differences between groups at the acquisition phase were found. Despite the methodological heterogeneity across studies, these effects were independent of the type of stress, animals' strains or age. However, our findings suggest that stress yields a more detrimental effect on spatial navigation tests' performance. Surprisingly, the vast majority of the selected studies in this field did not report appropriate statistics and were excluded from the quantitative analysis. We have therefore purposed a set of guidelines termed PROBE (Preferred Reporting Orientations for Behavioral Experiments) to promote an adequate reporting of behavioral experiments.This work was funded by the European Commission (FP7) "SwitchBox" (Contract HEALTH-F2-2010-259772) project and co-financed by the Portuguese North Regional Operational Program (ON.2 - O Novo Norte) under the National Strategic Reference Framework (QREN), through the European Regional Development Fund (FEDER), and by Fundacao Calouste Gulbenkian (Portugal) (Contract grant number: P-139977; project "Better mental health during ageing based on temporal prediction of individual brain ageing trajectories (TEMPO)"). PSM is supported by an FCT fellowship grant, from the PhD-iHES program, with the reference PDE/BDE/113601/2015.info:eu-repo/semantics/publishedVersio

The steel–concrete interface

Although the steel–concrete interface (SCI) is widely recognized to influence the durability of reinforced concrete, a systematic overview and detailed documentation of the various aspects of the SCI are lacking. In this paper, we compiled a comprehensive list of possible local characteristics at the SCI and reviewed available information regarding their properties as well as their occurrence in engineering structures and in the laboratory. Given the complexity of the SCI, we suggested a systematic approach to describe it in terms of local characteristics and their physical and chemical properties. It was found that the SCI exhibits significant spatial inhomogeneity along and around as well as perpendicular to the reinforcing steel. The SCI can differ strongly between different engineering structures and also between different members within a structure; particular differences are expected between structures built before and after the 1970/1980s. A single SCI representing all on-site conditions does not exist. Additionally, SCIs in common laboratory-made specimens exhibit significant differences compared to engineering structures. Thus, results from laboratory studies and from practical experience should be applied to engineering structures with caution. Finally, recommendations for further research are made

Transformation of 2-line ferrihydrite to goethite at alkaline pH

The transformation of 2-line ferrihydrite to goethite from supersaturated solutions at alkaline pH >= 13.0 was studied using a combination of benchtop and advanced synchrotron techniques such as X-ray diffraction, thermogravimetric analysis and X-ray absorption spectroscopy. In comparison to the transformation rates at acidic to mildly alkaline environments, the half-life,t_1/2, of 2-line ferrihydrite reduces from several months at pH = 2.0, and approximately 15 days at pH = 10.0, to just under 5 hours at pH = 14.0. Calculated first order rate constants of transformation, k, increase exponentially with respect to the pH and follow the progression log_10 k = log_10 k_0 + a*pH^E3. Simultaneous monitoring of the aqueous Fe(III) concentration via inductively coupled plasma optical emission spectroscopy demonstrates that (i) goethite likely precipitates from solution and (ii) its formation is rate-limited by the comparatively slow re-dissolution of 2-line ferrihydrite. The analysis presented can be used to estimate the transformation rate of naturally occurring 2-line ferrihydrite in aqueous electrolytes characteristic to mine and radioactive waste tailings as well as the formation of corrosion products in cementitious pore solutions