Application of Neutron Stress Measurement to Reinforced Concrete Structure

Abstract

The bond resistance between reinforcing bar (rebar) and concrete is one important parameter for examining integrity of the reinforced concrete structure, and is commonly evaluated by measuring the strain distribution along the rebar embedded in concrete. Here we present two types of applications of the time-of-flight neutron diffraction technique to measure the stress distribution of the rebar. It was demonstrated that bond deterioration around cracks developed in concrete can be evaluated by measuring the stress distribution along the embedded rebar using neutron diffraction. Furthermore, a change in the stress distribution along the rebar due to bond deterioration by corrosion was observed. The neutron diffraction technique is expected to become a novel method for measuring the stress (strain) of the rebar embedded in concrete, and will eventually provide insight into the actual phenomena on the reinforced concrete structures.