TECHNICAL PAPERS
May 1, 1984

Air Leakage Characteristics in Reinforced Concrete

Publication: Journal of Structural Engineering
Volume 110, Issue 5

Abstract

Eight reinforced concrete specimens were fabricated and subjected to tensile membrane forces and air pressure to study the air leakage characteristics in cracked reinforced concrete members. A mathematical expression for the rate of pressurized air flowing through an idealized crack is presented. The mathematical expression is refined by using the experimental data to describe the air flow rate through any given crack pattern. Graphical charts are also presented for the calculation of the air leakage rate through concrete cracks. The concept of equivalent crack width for a given crack pattern is introduced. The mathematical expression and graphical charts are modified to include this equivalent crack width concept. The proposed technique is applicable for the prediction of the leakage from concrete containment structures or any similar structures due to high internal pressure sufficient to initiate cracking.

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References

1.
Beeby, A. W., “The Prediction of Crack Widths in Hardened Concrete,” The Structural Engineer, Vol. 57A, No. 1, Jan., 1979, pp. 9–17.
2.
Buss, W., “Proof of Leakage Rate of a Concrete Reactor Building,” Paper 34–61, Concrete For Nuclear Reactors, ACI Special Publication Sp‐34, Vol. III, 1972, pp. 1291–1320.
3.
John, J. E. A., Gas Dynamics, Allyn and Bacon, Boston, 1969.
4.
Leonhardt, F., “Crack Control in Concrete Structures,” IABSE Surveys, S‐4/77, IABSE Periodica 3/1977, International Association for Bridge and Structural Engineering, Zurich, Aug., 1977.
5.
MacGregor, J. G., Rizkalla, S. H., and Simmonds, S. H., “Cracking of Reinforced and Prestressed Concrete Wall Segments,” Structural Engineering Report, No. 82, Dept. of Civ. Engrg., Univ. of Alberta, Edmonton, Canada, Mar., 1980.
6.
Rizkalla, S. H., El‐Shahawai, M., and Kwok, C. K., “Cracking Behavior of Reinforced Concrete Members,” Proceedings of the Annual Conference of Canadian Society for Civil Engineering, May 27–28, 1982, Edmonton, Alberta, Canada.
7.
Rizkalla, S. H., and Lau, B. L., “Leakage of Pressurized Gases through Cracks in Reinforced Concrete Structures,” Structural Engineering Report, Dept. of Civ. Engrg., Univ. of Manitoba, Winnipeg, Manitoba, Apr., 1982.
8.
Rizkalla, S. H., Simmonds, S. H., and MacGregor, J. G., “Leakage Tests of Wall Segments of Reactor Containments,” Structural Engineering Report No. 80, Dept. of Civ. Engrg., Univ. of Alberta, Edmonton, Canada.
9.
Murray, D. W., Wong, C., Simmonds, S. H., and MacGregor, J. G., “An Inelastic Analysis of the Gentilly‐2 Secondary Containment Structure,” Structural Engineering Report, No. 86, Dept. of Civ. Engrg., Univ. of Alberta, Edmonton, Alberta, Canada, Apr., 1980.

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Published In

Go to Journal of Structural Engineering
Journal of Structural Engineering
Volume 110Issue 5May 1984
Pages: 1149 - 1162

History

Published online: May 1, 1984
Published in print: May 1984

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Authors

Affiliations

Sami H. Rizkalla, M. ASCE
Assoc. Prof., Civ. Engrg. Dept., Univ. of Manitoba, Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada
Bon L. Lau
Grad. Student, Civ. Engrg. Dept., Univ. of Manitoba, Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada
Sidney H. Simmonds, M. ASCE
Prof., Civ. Engrg. Dept., Univ. of Alberta, Edmonton, Alberta, Canada

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