Title:
Improving Fatigue Properties of Reinforcing Steel Bars (Pre-Published)
Author(s):
Jessica Gonzalez, Seyed Sasan Kedmatgozar Dolati, Ariel Suselo, Douglas Stalheim, Ana Araujo, Wassim M. Ghannoum
Publication:
Materials Journal
Volume:
Issue:
Appears on pages(s):
Keywords:
low-cycle fatigue, micro-alloying, Niobium, reinforcing bars
DOI:
10.14359/51743282
Date:
10/1/2024
Abstract:
Low-cycle fatigue and monotonic tension tests were performed on steel reinforcing bars micro-alloyed 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/post rolling 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 for improving the low-cycle fatigue performance of reinforcing bars.