Mechanical Properties of High‐Strength Concrete at Low Temperature

Abstract

High‐strength concrete has been used extensively in high‐rise buildings and long‐span bridges. However, very little is known regarding its mechanical properties at low temperature. This paper presents the results of an experimental study on the mechanical properties of high‐strength concrete in the temperature range between +20°C and -70°C (+68°F and -94°F) without considering the effect of freezing cycles. Test results show that the values of compressive and splitting tensile strength, modulus of elasticity and Poisson's ratio increase as the temperature decreases. The ratio of bond strength at low temperature and the bond strength at normal temperature are generally larger under reversed cyclic loading than under monotonic or repeated cyclic loading. The rate of increase in compressive and splitting tensile strength, Young's modulus, local bond strength and Poisson's ratio for high‐strength concrete at corresponding different low temperatures (-10°C,-30°-C,-50°C and -70°C, i.e., +14°F,-22°F,-58°F and -94°F) is generally lower than that for normal strength concrete.