A general framework for determining fracture parameters of concrete based on fracture extreme theory

Abstract

A general theoretical framework for determining the fracture parameters of concrete was presented based on fracture extreme theory (FET). The method for determining tensile strength ft and initial fracture toughness KIini was established using nil-stress intensity factor (nil-SIF) criterion and initial fracture toughness criterion, respectively. Using the nil-SIF criterion, the ft was determined by the proposed method and verified by experimental values. In addition, the values of KIini calculated using the initial fracture toughness criterion were compared with those using an existing analytical method. The influence of the cohesive stress distribution on KIini was analyzed. With FET, only the experimental peak load of one specimen was needed, and the measurement of the critical crack mouth opening displacement was not required for the calculation.