Abstract
The load-induced cracking of a small compact tension specimen of mortar was observed using a special loading device mounted in the specimen chamber of a scanning electron microscope. The crack was initiated at a load of 43.6 N and immediately extended about 12 mm, whereupon it became stable. Micromorphological aspects of the crack pattern are described in considerable detail. In general, it was observed that the crack geometry is complicated, with the crack path preferentially progressing at the interface between sand grains and cement paste, but not limited to these regions. A considerable amount of energy must be dissipated in creating the tortuous crack surface and in multiple or branch cracking. This technique permits resolution of much finer cracks than can be detected with ordinary optical methods.
Published Version
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