The paper outlines the theory of generalized plasticity in which yield and plastic potential surfaces need not be explicitly defined, and shows how a very effective general model describing the behaviour of sands and of clays under monotonic or transient loading can be developed. The model is currently one of the simplest and yet one of the most effective ones for describing the full range of behaviour.The hierarchical structure of the model limits the number of parameters which have to be experimentally determined for a given material to those strictly necessary for the problem at hand.A discussion of currently used models is included.

This paper presents an experimental investigation into the residual capacity of corroded reinforcing bars. By performing both accelerated and simulated corrosion tests on bare bars and on bars embedded in concrete, the mechanism of the reduction of the capacity of corroded reinforcement was investigated. The influence of type and diameter of reinforcement on its residual capacity is discussed. The experimental results show that, due to local attack penetration, the residual cross-section of a corroded bar is no longer round and varies considerably along its circumference and its length. Although the force-extension curves of corroded bars are similar to those of noncorroded bars for up to 16% corrosion, their residual yield and ultimate forces decrease more rapidly than their average cross-sectional area and, therefore, their residual strength decreases significantly. Even though the residual capacity of corroded small diameter and/or plain bars reduces more than that of large diameter or ribbed ones, differences are not significant and can be neglected. Finally, a simple equation is proposed to predict the residual capacity of corroded reinforcing bars in practice.

SUMMARYThis paper discusses various forms of the Irons patch test and shows again that its satisfaction is a necessary convergence condition being equivalent to consistency. Further, it is shown that the test can be applied for verification of stability requirements, thus providing also a suflcient condition of convergence. The patch test is useful in testing the order of asymptotic convergence and the satisfaction of the test gives a guide for development of certain incompatible element forms.

An experimental investigation into the effect of corrosion on the ductility of steel reinforcement is reported. Both accelerated and simulated corrosion tests were conducted on bare bars and on bars embedded in concrete. The mechanism and degree of the reduction of ductility of reinforcement due to corrosion were examined. The influence of bar type and diameter on ductility of corroded reinforcement is discussed. The experimental results indicate that, since local attack penetration results in a significant variation of residual cross-section along its length, corrosion significantly reduces ductility of reinforcement. Although the strength ratio, elastic modulus and hardening strain only vary with bar type rather than corrosion level, the elongation, ultimate strain and ductile area of corroded reinforcement reduce much more significantly than do those of their yield and ultimate strengths. There is concern regarding bar ductility since about 10% corrosion may possibly decrease the ultimate strain of reinforcement below the minimum requirement specified in CEB Model Code 90 for class S reinforcement. Even though the elongation, ultimate strength and ductile area parameter of corroded small diameter and/or plain bars reduce more than those of large diameter and/or ribbed ones, such differences are not significant and can be neglected. Finally, a set of simple empirical equations is proposed to assess the ductility of corroded reinforcement in practice.