The influence of pile-driving induced vibrations on the hydration of early-age concrete regarding cast-in-place concrete pile groups

Project start: 01.06.2022

Funding: German Research Foundation (DFG)

Contact: Parvathy Kizhakkiniyedath Mohanan

Concrete is a widely utilized construction material, owes its structural integrity to its mechanical strength. The strength development of concrete is possibly disturbed because of early age vibrations and these effects cannot be inspected visually for damage. The defects resulted from the disturbances of the curing process are very likely to remain undetected. Depending on the level and frequency of the vibrations, introduced from outside and the relative movements of the individual particles, the internal frictional forces of the fresh concrete structure might greatly affected and eventually reduction will happen. This reduction in cohesion can lead to segregation of the concrete.

This research aims to better understand the performance and quality of concrete, considering an example of Frankie piles in real situation under ramming and clarifying which vibrations are harmful to concrete at different ages and the structure. In addition, rheological parameters, static and dynamic modulus of elasticity, compressive strength of tremie concrete is studied and furthermore, petrographic examinations were carried out to analyse possible structural damage.

A laboratory experimental setup is developed that can simulate the real conditions of ramming energy effect on concrete in small scale. The aim of the test setup is to map the range of ramming energy propagation that can occur during dynamic loading and thus effect on the fresh, young, hardened concrete.

HSU

Letzte Änderung: 11. August 2023