Deterioration of PCPV concrete

This paper presents results obtained from an experimental investigation into the deterioration of concretes used in prestressed concrete pressure vessels (PCPVs) in the UK. The experimental works were focused on the dependence of the residual properties of the thermally loaded concretes on the mix design (3 representative PCPVs), levels of exposed temperature (from 20 to 450 C), test age (3 months and 1 year) and exposure condition (sealed and unsealed). The residual properties investigated in this project were conducted by fully using both destructive (compressive, tensile splitting and static modulus) and non-destructive (dynamic modulus and ultrasonic pulse velocity) test techniques with the aim of better understanding and characterising 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 discussions on the experimental results were also performed and presented. (orig.)