Size Effect and Fracture Parameters for Concrete Under the Various Supported Conditions

Abstract

Double cantilever beams elements of normal strength concrete are loaded in compressive parallel o cantilever axes. Loads are applied in two different supporting conditions and compared with each other. Specimen thickness is 50 mm. Other sizes are geometrically similar with ratio is from large specimens to small specimens 4:2:1. Two horizontal and one vertical displacements are measured for each specimens and dehiscences are found by adding two horizontal displacements for each cantilever ends. Fracture energy is determined by using crack area of each specimens and area of under the load- opening displacement curve. Test results are arranged for size effect curve and size effect parameters are obtained. Experiments are modeled with Ansys 5.4 finite element program and fracture toughnesses are found by using numerical results.