Comparative Study on the Fatigue Behaviour of SCC and VC

Abstract:

Continuous cyclic loading on concrete constructions involves a progressive cracking mechanism, leading to significant changes of the material properties during the lifetime of the structure. Gradually, irreversible damage is inflicted and the carrying capacity is affected, which may cause structural collapse at a stress or strain level much lower than in case of a single static load. This so-called fatigue phenomenon is well-documented in literature for traditional, vibrated concrete (VC), but this is not the case for self-compacting concrete (SCC). Given the fact that this latter concrete type is already used worldwide in many types of structures, including cyclically loaded ones, a good knowledge and understanding of the static and fatigue material behaviour is crucial. Up till now, it is unsure whether SCC performs better, worse, or equally under fatigue loading conditions. Therefore, in this study, destructive four-point bending tests are performed on large beams, made from VC and SCC, both statically and cyclically (at different loading rates). A comparison of the deflection, strain, crack pattern and crack width evolution of the different concrete types is made. The results reveal some significant differences regarding concrete strain and crack width development during the cyclic tests.

• Periodical: Key Engineering Materials (Volume 627)
• Pages: 333-336
• DOI: https://doi.org/10.4028/www.scientific.net/KEM.627.333
• Online since: September 2014
• Authors: Sara Korte*, Veerle Boel, Wouter de Corte, Geert de Schutter
• Keywords: Crack Growth, Cyclic Loading, Fatigue, Four-Point Bending Test, Self-Compacting Concrete, S-N Curve, Vibrated Concrete

References

[1] G. De Schutter et al.: Self-compacting concrete (Whittles Publishing, Caithness 2008).

[2] P.L. Domone: A review of the hardened mechanical properties of self-compacting concrete, Cement & Concrete Composites Vol. 29 (2007), pp.1-12.

DOI: 10.1016/j.cemconcomp.2006.07.010

[3] P.L. Domone: Self-compacting concrete: An analysis of 11 years of case studies, Cement & Concrete Composites Vol. 28 (2006), pp.197-208.

DOI: 10.1016/j.cemconcomp.2005.10.003

[4] J.L.A. de Oliveira e Sousa, T.N. Bittencourt: Experimental analysis of fracture processes in concrete, Journal of the Brazilian Society of Mechanical Sciences Vol. 23 No. 4 (2001).

[5] M.A. Issa, A.M. Hammad, A. Chudnovsky: Correlation between crack tortuosity and fracture toughness in cementitious material, International Journal of Fracture Vol. 60 (1993), pp.97-105.

DOI: 10.1007/bf00012438

[6] S. Korte, V. Boel, W. De Corte, G. De Schutter: Static and fatigue fracture mechanics properties of self-compacting concrete using three-point bending tests and wedge-splitting tests, Construction and Building Materials Vol. 57 (2014), pp.1-8.

DOI: 10.1016/j.conbuildmat.2014.01.090