Sara Korte

Selecting a Suitable Specimen Shape with Low Constraint Value for Determination of Fracture Parameters of Cementitious Composites

The stress intensity factor and the T-stress describing the near-crack-tip fields for selected specimen shapes of a test geometry based on wedge splitting and three point bending tests with several variants of boundary conditions are computed using finite element software ANSYS. The test configuration in question is expected to be a convenient alternative to classical fracture tests (especially the tensile ones) for investigation of the quasi-brittle fracture of building materials, when low constraint is requested. These specimens are investigated within the framework of two-parameter fracture mechanics; near-crack-tip stress field parameters are determined and compared with those of the wedge splitting test due to their shape similarity. The sensitivity of the values of these parameters to the boundary conditions is also shown. Suitable choice of the shape of the specimens is discussed.

Vibrated Concrete vs. Self-Compacting Concrete: Comparison of Fracture Mechanics Properties

This study focuses on the fracture mechanics aspect of self-compacting concrete, compared to vibrated concrete. The most commonly used experiments to investigate the toughness and cracking behaviour of concrete are the three-point bending test (3PBT) on small, notched beams, and the wedge-splitting test (WST) on cubic samples with guiding groove and starter notch. From the resulting P-CMOD curves (applied load versus crack mouth opening displacement), different fracture parameters, such as fracture energy and fracture toughness, can be extracted. Moreover, using inverse analysis, the σ-w relationship (tensile stress versus crack width) can be derived. This paper lists the results of a series of tests on samples, made of VC, SCC of equal strength, and SCC with identical w/c factor. Subsequently, a comparison of the mechanical characteristics is made, revealing important differences regarding several fracture parameters.

Comparative Study on the Fatigue Behaviour of SCC and VC

Continuous cyclic loading on concrete constructions involves a progressive cracking mechanism, leading to significant changes of the material properties during the lifetime of the structure. Gradually, irreversible damage is inflicted and the carrying capacity is affected, which may cause structural collapse at a stress or strain level much lower than in case of a single static load. This so-called fatigue phenomenon is well-documented in literature for traditional, vibrated concrete (VC), but this is not the case for self-compacting concrete (SCC). Given the fact that this latter concrete type is already used worldwide in many types of structures, including cyclically loaded ones, a good knowledge and understanding of the static and fatigue material behaviour is crucial. Up till now, it is unsure whether SCC performs better, worse, or equally under fatigue loading conditions. Therefore, in this study, destructive four-point bending tests are performed on large beams, made from VC and SCC, both statically and cyclically (at different loading rates). A comparison of the deflection, strain, crack pattern and crack width evolution of the different concrete types is made. The results reveal some significant differences regarding concrete strain and crack width development during the cyclic tests.