Determination of Fracture Parameters for Concrete

Abstract

Double cantilever beams elements which have been prepared from normal strength concrete are applied compressive loads as parallel to cantilever axes. Loading are applied to two different supporting conditions and compared with each other. Specimen's thickness' t are constant and 40 mm. Other sizes are geometrically similar with ratio from large specimens to little specimens 4: 2:1. Two horizontal and one vertical displacements are measured for each specimens and opening displacements are found for adding to horizontal displacements for each cantilever ends. Energy absorbed capacities are determined by utilizing from each specimen area of under the load-opening displacement curve. Test results arranged for size effect curve and size effect parameters are obtained. Experiments simulated with ANSYS 5.4 finite element programs and fracture toughness' are found with helping this program.