Author(s)

D. L. DuQuesnay, R. M. Chlistovsky & P. J. Heffernan

Abstract

Corrosion-fatigue behaviour of a HSLA steel subjected to periodic overloads D. L. DuQuesnay, R. M. Chlistovsky & P. J. Heffernan Department of Mechanical Engineering, Royal Military College of Canada, Kingston, Ontario, Canada Abstract The fatigue behaviour of a high strength low alloy steel used for reinforcing bars in concrete structures was examined. Axial fatigue specimens were subjected to a loading spectrum consisting of a periodic overload of yield magnitude followed by 50 smaller cycles. The specimens were fatigue tested while they were fully immersed in an aerated and recirculated 3.5-wt% NaCl simulated seawater solution. The results were compared to data obtained for the same overload spectrum applied in laboratory air. A damage analysis showed that the presence of the corrosive environment accelerated the damage accumulation rate in cycles following overloads to a much greater extent than that observed in air. There was a drastic reduction in the fatigue strength of the material when

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