Response mechanisms of concrete under impulsive tensile loading
bookPart
The response of concrete up to complete failure in tension is represented in the load deformation relation. The characteristic parameters are the ultimate strength, stiffness in the ascending branch and the fracture energy. All these parameters depend on concrete composition and environmental conditions, as discussed in the previous chapters. The observed response of concrete at macro-level is determined by the damage initiation and damage accumulation mechanisms at meso- and micro-scale levels. The failure process is governed by (i) the stress condition, (ii) the mechanisms governing microcrack nucleation, propagation and obscuration of critical flaws, (iii) the ability to absorb energy in fracture, and (iv) the energy flow from the surrounding material into the fracture zone. In dynamics, all four conditions vary in time and depend on the loading rate. This chapter discusses the background and mechanisms of the rate-dependent behaviour of concrete, focusing on the effects of (i) inertia and limited cracking velocity at material level, (ii) concrete composition at meso-level, and (iii) moisture content and pore distribution. The available experimental data on dynamic strength and fracture energy are presented and related to response mechanisms for the different loading rate regimes. © 2013 Woodhead Publishing Limited All rights reserved.
Topics
TNO Identifier
513304
ISBN
978-0-85709-045-5
Source title
Understanding the tensile properties of concrete
Editor(s)
Weerheijm, J.
Pages
181-217 (Chapter 7)
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