Early age fracture properties of microstructurally-designed mortars. (January 2017)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Di Bella, Carmelo; Michel, Alexander; Stang, Henrik; Lura, Pietro
• Is Part Of: Cement & concrete composites. Volume 75(2017)
• Page Start: 62
• Page End: 73
• Publication Date: 2017-01
• Subjects: Fracture properties -- Early-age cracking -- Compact tension test -- Inverse analysis -- Mortar; Composite-reinforced concrete -- Periodicals; Concrete -- Periodicals; Composite materials -- Periodicals; Composites de ciment -- Périodiques; Béton -- Périodiques; Composites -- Périodiques; Béton léger -- Périodiques; Cement composites; Composite materials; Composite-reinforced concrete; Concrete; Lightweight concrete; Periodicals; Electronic journals; 620.135
• DOI: 10.1016/j.cemconcomp.2016.11.004
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0958-9465

Abstract

Abstract: This paper compares the fracture properties as well as crack initiation and propagation of real and equivalent mortars. The development of the elastic modulus, tensile strength, and fracture energy at different hydration stages were determined by inverse analysis of load-displacement curves obtained by the compact tension test (CTT). Further, the impact of the moisture content on the aforementioned material properties was also tested on oven-dried equivalent mortars. Digital image correlation (DIC) was used to follow the crack initiation and propagation. The elastic modulus, tensile strength, and fracture energy support the validity of the equivalent mortars approach. The load-displacement curves obtained by the CTT were also compared to those simulated by finite element method showing excellent correlations. DIC revealed the formation of similar crack patterns at comparable load levels between the two mortars. At early age, the moisture content has a considerable influence on the tensile strength and the fracture energy.