Fracture Properties of Concrete Containing Expanded Polystyrene Aggregate Replacement

Abstract

Research has shown that expanded polystyrene (EPS) aggregate replacement changes the failure mode of concrete in compression by exhibiting a more ductile dissipation of load during failure. Fracture mechanics are applied in this report to study the behavior of concrete containing EPS aggregate that replaces a volume portion of the normal weight fine aggregate. The fracture energy, critical stress intensity factor, and characteristic length of EPS concrete and normal weight concrete (NWC) is experimentally determined. The two types of tests used to determine these properties are the three-point-bend test and a wedge-splitting test. The conclusions demonstrate that EPS aggregate replacement increases fracture surface areas and the size of the fracture process zone, thus creating a more dispersed cracking pattern. The resulting failure mode allows the concrete to absorb more energy and maintain load after reaching peak load.Research has shown that expanded polystyrene (EPS) aggregate replacement changes the failure mode of concrete in compression by exhibiting a more ductile dissipation of load during failure. Fracture mechanics are applied in this report to study the behavior of concrete containing EPS aggregate that replaces a volume portion of the normal weight fine aggregate. The fracture energy, critical stress intensity factor, and characteristic length of EPS concrete and normal weight concrete (NWC) is experimentally determined. The two types of tests used to determine these properties are the three-point-bend test and a wedge-splitting test. The conclusions demonstrate that EPS aggregate replacement increases fracture surface areas and the size of the fracture process zone, thus creating a more dispersed cracking pattern. The resulting failure mode allows the concrete to absorb more energy and maintain load after reaching peak load.