Vladimir Popov, Associate Professor at the SPbGASU Department of Reinforced Concrete and Masonry Constructions, and PhD of Engineering Sciences, completed a research project on "Statistical patterns of the kinetics of resistance of eccentrically compressed reinforced concrete elements under low-temperature impacts." The project was completed as part of a grant competition for research by university research and pedagogical staff in 2025.
In existing design standards for reinforced concrete structures, ultimate relative deformations of concrete are assumed to be average values, while strength characteristics are assumed to be highly reliable. In calculations using a nonlinear deformation model, it is the deformations of concrete and reinforcement that directly influence the results, and using average values can reduce the reliability of calculations under certain conditions.
Freezing and thawing cycles of concrete pose additional challenges. Low temperatures cause concrete degradation, reducing its strength and ultimate strain.
In the course of the study, carried out using methods of mathematical statistics and diagrammatic calculation, it was established that:
- variability in the deformation characteristics of concrete and reinforcement significantly impacts the design compressive strength of reinforcement of class A500 and higher;
- the bearing capacity of eccentrically compressed reinforced concrete elements decreases when using average values of ultimate relative deformations in calculations;
- freeze-thaw cycles of concrete reduce the reliability of reinforced concrete structures;
- the impact of variability in ultimate concrete deformations on the bearing capacity of eccentrically compressed reinforced concrete elements increases with increasing reinforcement ratio and depends on the eccentricity of longitudinal force application.
The obtained results confirm the need for further study of the variability of the deformation characteristics of concrete and its influence on the performance of reinforced concrete elements under conditions of alternating freezing and thawing.
Based on the results of the research work, articles were prepared for publication in journals included in the list of the Higher Attestation Commission, one of which has been published.
