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Assessment of the toughness of fibre-reinforced concrete using the R-curve approach

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Abstract

The fracture response of brittle materials like concrete can be characterised using modified linear elastic fracture mechanics models, such as the rising resistance curve (R-curve). In this study, the R-curve, determined by utilising the experimental response in the notched beam test with mode I fracture, is proposed as a measure of the toughness of fibre-reinforced concretes (FRCs). The unambiguity of the R-curve obtained is assessed by comparing the predicted flexural response of specimens of different geometries with experimental data. The variation in the R-curves with the dosage of steel and polymer fibres is also discussed.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Civil Engineering, Indian Institute of Technology Madras, Chennai, 600036, India

    Stefie J Stephen, Ravindra Gettu & Sujatha Jose

  2. Department of Engineering, Federal University of Lavras, Lavras, MG, 37200-000, Brazil

    Luiz Eduardo Teixeira Ferreira

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  1. Stefie J Stephen
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  2. Ravindra Gettu
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  3. Luiz Eduardo Teixeira Ferreira
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  4. Sujatha Jose
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Correspondence to Stefie J Stephen.

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Stephen, S.J., Gettu, R., Ferreira, L.E.T. et al. Assessment of the toughness of fibre-reinforced concrete using the R-curve approach. Sādhanā 43, 46 (2018). https://doi.org/10.1007/s12046-018-0838-6

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s12046-018-0838-6

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