Strain localization of reinforced alkali-activated concrete under corrosion using digital image correlation

• Main Authors: Bolivar, Erica Mae C., Escleto, Andrew Teus T., Rubinos, Iona Trisha B., Tan, Sherie Joy M.
• Format: text
• Language: English
• Published: Animo Repository 2018
• Subjects: Building materials; Portland cement; Civil Engineering
• Online Access: https://animorepository.dlsu.edu.ph/etd_bachelors/6452
• Institution: De La Salle University

Ordinary port land cement (OPC) is one of the most commonly used material in the construction industry. However, its production produces harmful pollutants that largely contribute to global greenhouse emissions, as well as consumes a significant amount of natural resources such as limestone. Studies have found alkali-activated concrete (AAC) to be viable alternative for cement, and one of the greatest advantages of AAC against OPC is it corrosion resistance. In this study, the strain localization of reinforced alkali-activated concrete (AAC) with low-calcium coal fly ash (CFA) and ordinary port land cement (OPC) concrete beams under flexural bending tests with cyclic load has been investigated through digital image correlation (DIC) technique. The strain values obtained from both concrete types were compared and it was concluded that AAC strains are consistently higher than that of OPC Prior to testing the beams, compression tests were conducted on cylindrical samples of the two concrete types wherein it was found that both AAC and OPC are both ductile. Furthermore, the sensitivity of DIC and conventional strain gauges in measuring the strain for both AAC and OPC was investigated, and it was found that both techniques are sensitive for OPC while otherwise for AAC due to strain localization. The strain localization of AAC may be linked to its ductile characterization.