Bilinear tension softening diagrams of concrete mixes corresponding to their size-independent specific fracture energy

Abstract

The study of the fracture behaviour of concrete structures using the fictitious crack model requires two fracture properties of the concrete mix, namely, the size-independent specific fracture energy GF, and the corresponding tension softening relation σ(w) between the residual stress carrying capacity σ and the crack opening w in the fracture process zone ahead of a real crack. In this paper, bi-linear tension softening diagrams of three different concrete mixes, ranging in compressive strength from 57 to 122MPa whose size-independent specific fracture energy has been previously determined, have been constructed in an inverse manner based on the concept of a non-linear hinge from the load-crack mouth opening plots of notched three-point bend beams.