Investigation of the relationship between the strength limit and the long time fatigue of steel reinforcements of reinforced concrete structures

The results of experimental studies have shown a strong effect of diffusion hydrogen on the static and cyclic parameters of crack resistance of reinforcing steel. It was found that with increasing flooding, especially when the hydrogen content exceeds 5 cm3/100g, both static strength and long-term strength (fatigue) decrease sharply. Moreover, these areas of hydrogen solution in reinforcing steel are characterized by a viscous nature of fracture, while for heavily flooded reinforcement (from 5 to 12 cm3/100g) is characterized by brittle fracture by the mechanism of microcracking in the hardened (martensite or troostite structure). The analysis of the obtained experimental results allowed to determine the optimal hydrogen content in the reinforcing steel (3…5 cm3/100g), the excess of which can cause a decrease in the crack resistance of the reinforcement during long-term operation, especially in corrosive environments. The mechanism of hydrogen influence on crack resistance of metal at static and alternating loading which consists in diffusion and dislocation movement of hydrogen in structure of a reinforcing core that as a result that causes strong flooding of steel and its embrittlement is offered. It is established that carbon and low-alloy sieves, which are characterized by ferritic-pearlitic and sorbitol structure provide high resistance, especially to long-term fatigue, and the transition to steels with a structure of martensite or tempered (transient structure of bainite) structure of bainite sharply reduces reinforcing steel, which makes it impossible to use in the manufacture of reinforcement involved in reinforced concrete structures designed for long-term operation (more than 50…60 years). Thus, the obtained diagram can be recommended to designers of reinforced concrete structures for hydraulic purposes, as it greatly facilitates the reasonable choice of reinforcement in the development of reinforced concrete structures for responsible and long-term use.