The influence of sulfate attack on the dynamic properties of concrete column

Concrete structures in service may be suffer from sulfate attack, which may lead to the deterioration of both static and dynamic properties of concrete, and therefore jeopardize their performance in earthquake events. To predict the seismic performance of sulfate-damaged concrete structures, the rate-dependent strength, deformation behavior and energy absorption capacity of concrete specimens under sulfate attack were investigated. First, half of the specimens were initially cured under sulfate attack for 4 months and the other half of the specimens were cured in a room environment for comparison. Then axial compressive experiments for concrete specimens with different strain rates were carried out. Experimental results show that sulfate attack had a significant impact on the dynamic properties of concrete. Sulfate attack makes concrete strength more sensitive to strain rate. With increasing strain rates, the peak strain and energy absorption capacity of control and sulfate attacked concrete tend to increase, but they are greatly decreased by disruptive expansion and chemical deterioration induced by sulfate attack. Finally, the failure phenomenon was shown and the damage mechanism of specimens was discussed.

► Experimental programme investigating dynamic properties of sulfate attacked concrete.
► Sulfate attack makes strength and peak strain more sensitive to strain rates.
► Sulfate attack decreases energy absorption capacity greatly.
► The damage mechanism of specimens is discussed.