Compressive Strength Reduction of Concrete Subjected to Hydrostatic Compression

An experimental study of the damage behavior of two kinds of concrete with different strength grades has been performed using 100mm cubes subjected to increasing hydrostatic loading history, namely, the isotropic compression at high pressure. The compressive strength and ultrasonic velocity are measured before and after loading history, respectively. The damage degree of these cubes is defined as the reduction of compressive strength based on the continuum damage mechanics theory. Linear and exponential curve fit of experimental data is performed respectively to describe the evolution of damage as well as the descent of ultrasonic velocity with respect to the loading history. It can be seen that, the influence of hydrostatic loading history upon strength and ultrasonic velocity could really reflect that upon the degree of damage development. In general, ultrasonic inspection is convenient and applicable to estimation of damage of concrete due to loading history in engineering practice.