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The theoretical basis of testing methods to determine double-K criterion for crack propagation in concrete: technical report of the RILEM TC265-TDK

  • RILEM TC 265-TDK: Testing methods for determination of the double-K criterion for crack propagation in concrete
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Abstract

Double-K criterion is comprised of two fracture parameters: initial cracking toughness and unstable fracture toughness. Both parameters are derived from linear-elastic fracture mechanics principles and can be obtained through experiments in laboratories. A proposal for a RILEM recommendation of the standard testing methods for determination of double-K criterion for crack propagation in concrete has been put forward (Xu et al. in Mater Struct, 2021. 10.1617/s11527-021-01786-8). The significance and applicability of double-K criterion for predicting crack initiation, structure failure and crack stability in concrete structures are introduced. To determine the double-K fracture parameters, two testing methods which are wedge-splitting test and three-point bending beam test are recommended. The calculation methods of double-K fracture parameters and their corresponding theoretical basis are presented.

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Acknowledgements

The authors would like to express their sincerely thanks for the valuable suggestions and comments of the reviewers for improving the quality of the manuscript. All members of the RILEM TC265- TDK greatly appreciate Prof. John Provis, Editor-in-Chief; Prof. Nele De Belie, Deputy Editor-in-Chief; Sarah Kearney, Managing Editor for their kind supports for publishing the recommendation in the journal of Materials and Structures. We would also gratefully acknowledge the financial support by the National Natural Science Foundation of China (Nos. 51310305028 and 51378461) for this study.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. College of Civil Engineering and Architecture, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, 310058, Zhejiang, People’s Republic of China

    Shilang Xu, Qinghua Li, Yao Wu, Lixin Dong & Yao Lyu

  2. Institut Fuer Werkstoffe Im Bauwesen, University of Stuttgart, Stuttgart, Germany

    Hans W. Reinhardt

  3. Department of Civil Engineering, Hong Kong University of Science and Technology, Clear Water Bay, Kowloon, Hong Kong, People’s Republic of China

    Christopher K. Y. Leung

  4. ETSI Caminos, C. y P., University of Castilla-La Mancha, Ciudad Real, Spain

    Gonzalo Ruiz

  5. Department of Civil Engineering, Guru Ghasidas Vishwavidyalaya, Koni, Bilaspur, Chhattisgarh, 495009, India

    Shailendra Kumar

  6. Departmentment of Materials and Structural Engineering, Nanjing Hydraulic Research Institute, Nanjing, 210029, China

    Shaowei Hu

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  1. Shilang Xu
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  2. Qinghua Li
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Correspondence to Shilang Xu.

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This report has been prepared by members of work group (Shilang Xu, Qinghua Li, Yao Wu, Lixin Dong, Yao Lyu ,Hans W. Reinhardt, Christopher K.Y. Leung, Gonzalo Ruiz López, Shailendra Kumar, and Shaowei Hu) within RILEM TC265-TDK ‘Testing methods for determination of double-K criterion for crack propagation in concrete’ and further reviewed and approved by all members of the RILEM TC265-TDK.

TC Membership:

Chair: Shilang Xu.

Secretary: Yao Wu.

Members: Hans W. Reinhardt, Germany; Christopher K. Y. Leung, Hong Kong, China; Gonzalo Ruiz López, Spain; Shailendra Kumar, India; Qinghua Li, China; Yao Wu, China; Yao Lyu, China; Shaowei Hu, China; Lixin Dong, China

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Xu, S., Li, Q., Wu, Y. et al. The theoretical basis of testing methods to determine double-K criterion for crack propagation in concrete: technical report of the RILEM TC265-TDK. Mater Struct 54, 229 (2021). https://doi.org/10.1617/s11527-021-01787-7

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