Effect of Specimen Sizes on Flexural Compressive Strength of Concrete

Abstract

This paper studies, by experimental means, the length and depth variations of a flexural compressive member. A series of C-shaped specimens subjected to axial compressive load and bending moment were tested. The test specimen thickness was kept constant where the size effect in out-of-plan direction is not considered. The test results are curve fitted using Levenberg-Marquardt's least square method to obtain parameters for the modified size effect law (MSEL) of Kim et al. The analysis results show that the effect of specimen length and depth on ultimate strength was apparent, but their effect on the ultimate strain was negligible. More general parameters for MSEL are suggested.