Deterioration of PCPV concrete

This paper presents results obtained from an experimental investigation int o the deterioration of concretes used in prestressed concrete pressure vess els (PCPVs) in the UK. The experimental works were focused on the dependenc e of the residual properties of the thermally loaded concretes on the mix d esign (3 representative PCPVs), levels of exposed temperature (from 20 to 4 50 degrees C), test age (3 months and 1 year) and exposure condition (seale d and unsealed). The residual properties investigated in this project were conducted by fully using both destructive (compressive, tensile splitting a nd static modulus) and non-destructive (dynamic modulus and ultrasonic puls e velocity) test techniques with the aim of better understanding and charac terising the deterioration of PCPV concretes when subjected to both ambient and elevated temperatures under the environmental conditions likely to be experienced in real structures. Detailed statistical analyses and discussio ns on the experimental results were also performed and presented. (C) 2000 Elsevier Science S.A. All rights reserved.