Abstract
Two experimental techniques are used study the response of cement mortar beams subjected to three-point bending under various loading protocols. The techniques used are the detection of weak electric current emissions known as Pressure Stimulated Currents and the Acoustic Emissions (in particular, the cumulative AE energy and the b-value analysis). Patterns are detected that can be used to predict upcoming fracture, regardless of the adopted loading protocol in each experiment. The experimental results of the AE and PSC techniques lead to the conclusion that when the calculated Ib values decrease, the PSC starts increasing strongly.
Highlights
The mechanical behavior and the evolution of damage in heterogeneous materials under compressive loading are of great interest in a wide range of application fields
The application of 3PB loading under various protocols regarding the bending load rate on cement mortar beams causes the emission of electric currents (PSC) that show a clearly deterministic behavior
Micro-cracks generate a sufficient number of weak acoustic emissions leading to a relatively high b-value
Summary
The mechanical behavior and the evolution of damage in heterogeneous materials under compressive loading are of great interest in a wide range of application fields. Two experimental techniques are used study the response of cement mortar beams subjected to three-point bending under various loading protocols.
Sign-in/Register to view highlights & summary 
Published Version
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a call