Title:
Improving Fatigue Properties of Reinforcing Steel Bars
Author(s):
J. Gonzalez, S. S. K. Dolati, A. Suselo, D. Stalheim, A. Araujo, and W. M. Ghannoum
Publication:
Materials Journal
Volume:
122
Issue:
1
Appears on pages(s):
3-18
Keywords:
low-cycle fatigue; microalloying (MA); niobium (Nb); reinforcing bars
DOI:
10.14359/51743282
Date:
1/1/2025
Abstract:
Low-cycle fatigue and monotonic tension tests were performed
on steel reinforcing bars microalloyed using niobium and vanadium
and processed by various hot-rolling and post-rolling cooling
production strategies. The objective was to identify beneficial alloy
designs and production techniques that deliver cross-diameter
microstructures at different strength levels with improved fatigue
properties. Bars were sourced from the United States and China
to represent a range of alloy designs and production methods
common in those countries. Parameters considered included the
microalloying content of vanadium (V) and/or niobium (Nb),
carbon content (C), overall alloy content (CE), hot-rolling/postrolling cooling strategies, microstructures/grain size, stress-strain tensile curve shape, hardness, and rib geometry. Ferrite fraction and grain size, average cross-section hardness, and bar deformations were found to be influential on fatigue life. Bar chemistries and processing techniques that result in increased ferrite fraction and reduced grain size are recommended to improve the low-cycle fatigue performance of reinforcing bars.
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