The Seismic Behavior of Reinforced Concrete Members at Low Temperatures

Abstract

While reinforced concrete structures depend on ductility for acceptable seismic performance, research on the material behavior of concrete and steel has indicated that the loss of ductility may occur under low temperatures. The current research program investigates the behavior of reinforced concrete column-type members under low temperatures (-20 degrees Celsius, -30 degrees Celsius, and -40 degrees Celsius, approximately) and compares the results to an identical specimen tested at ambient laboratory temperature (23 degrees Celsius). The columns are lightly reinforced, and were loaded in a reversed cyclic manner while inside of an environmental chamber. The results of the experimentation indicate moderate increases in column strength as the temperature decreases, as well as moderate decreases in ultimate displacement capacity as the temperature decreases. The hysteretic damping properties of the columns were not significantly affected by low temperatures, and the specimen tested at -40 degrees Celsius exhibited a shortening of the extent of plasticity.