Experimental and numerical comparison of failure mechanisms of concrete cores containing rebar

It is difficult to determine the real strength of concrete in an existing structure because it depends on curing type record, concrete compaction quality, and pouring of concrete method. A core test is the most effective and reliable way to measure the concrete characteristics of the structure. The cores provide reliable and useful results because they are mechanically tested up to the destruction stage. The use of rebar in the concrete core samples tested in the parts of the reinforced concrete that have bar compaction is unavoidable. In most codes, using rebar is ignored, and the other factors are considered adequate on core test results; it has just been discussed and suggested to ignore the cores, including rebar. Therefore, this research aims to survey about the effect of using bars on the strength of concrete cores. In this regard, variables such as length to diameter (L/D) ratio of core, core diameter, the diameter of steel bar, number of steel bars, steel bars’ order, the configuration method of rebar, the distance of bar axis from the nearer end of the core, the moisture condition and water to cement ratio (concrete strength level) are considered. In the first step, concrete samples, including rebar, were tested with a concrete core. The examined samples were validated using numerical studies and ANSYS software; then about 200 cylindrical core samples using this software were studied in order to determine the pressure drag and also the effective parameters on the behavior of cylindrical concrete core containing rebar, and the results including the pressure drag and collapse mechanism were investigated and compared. Using rebar in the cores plays an important role in the stress and strain variation of the concrete core and the bars inside