Investigation of the Strength and Deformation Properties of Concrete Under Low-Cycle Loads

The study investigates the impact of low-cycle static loads on the strength and deformation properties of concrete through experimental analysis. Emulating conditions akin to operational loads, various low-cycle loading modes were employed to discern their distinct effects on prismatic strength (R_b), initial modulus of elasticity (E_b), and overall deformations of concrete. Results indicate a discernible reduction in prismatic strength, averaging between 6 and 9%, and a corresponding decrease of 11–15% in the modulus of elasticity relative to the initial loading cycle. Concurrently, both total and permanent deformations of concrete exhibit an increase ranging from 1.24 to 1.29 times. The study introduces pertinent dependencies that elucidate the influence of loading characteristics (η) on the reduction of prismatic strength (R_b) and the initial modulus of elasticity (E_b). These findings offer valuable insights into the material behavior of concrete under low-cycle static loads, with implications for the structural performance and longevity of concrete elements subjected to similar loading conditions.