Effects of strain-ageing on New Zealand reinforcing steel bars

Abstract

Modern seismic design codes, which are based on capacity design concepts, allow formation of plastic hinges in specified locations of a structure. This requires reliable estimation of strength of different components so that the desired hierarchy of strength of the structural components can be ensured to guarantee the formation of plastic hinges in the ductile elements. As strength of longitudinal reinforcing bars governs the strength of reinforced concrete members, strain-ageing, which has significant effect on the strength of reinforcing bars, should be given due consideration in capacity design. Strain-ageing can increase the yield strength of reinforcing steel bars and hence the strength of previously formed plastic hinges, thereby likely to force an unfavourable mechanism (such as strong beam-weak column leading to column hinging) to take place in subsequent earthquakes. In this paper, the strain-ageing effect of commonly used New Zealand reinforcing steel bars is experimentally investigated. Common New Zealand steel reinforcing bars are tested for different levels of pre-strain and different time intervals up to 50 days, and the results are discussed focussing on the extent of strain-ageing and its possible implications on seismic design provisions. The results indicate that designers need to use a higher flexural strength (in addition to overstrength) for the weaker member in checking the strength hierarchy in capacity design of reinforced concrete frames. Similarly, in designing retrofit measures to restore a damaged reinforced concrete member engineers need to take into account an increase of yield strength of the reinforcing steel bars employed in the member due to the strain-ageing phenomenon and the extent of increase in the yield strength depends on the level of damage.