Abstract
Starting from the fictitious crack model the softening zone at the tip of a discrete crack in concrete is studied. Using a power relation for the stress distribution in the softening zone, the extension of this zone is a function of the exponent. If the fully softened cross-section is taken as a failure criterion, the exponent can be considered as a measure for the true strength of the material. Supporting the theory concrete plates were tested under uniaxial tensile loading. Since stress distribution cannot be measured the strain distribution around the crack was determined. Using the complete stress-strain relation the strains were translated into stresses. The test results are discussed and compared to the theoretical model. Further studies are encouraged to improve the accuracy of the experiments and to extend the model to cyclic loading.
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