Keywords

Abstract

Concrete;

 Experimental investigation; 

Fracture energy; 

Analytical modeling; 

Sand fines ratio;

Crack initial length

The experimental characterization is the most exact method which describes and studies the material's real behavior and its response to different mechanical solicitations otherwise conducting experimental tests for every case is often impractical. This work present an analytical model that describes the concrete fracture energy variation in function of the specimen’s length, the crack initial length and the Sand fines ratio basing on experimental investigations. Three point bending tests were conducting on concrete specimens, using an MTS testing machine and according to the ASTM norms. The obtained experimental results were used to generate an analytical model based on ANOVA and experimental plan principles. The model was validated and adjusted. It has been found that the weakening of the studied specimens is majorly related to the increasing on the specimen’s and crack initial lengths or by decreasing the sand fines ratio and the model shows in addition to that a clear parameter’s classification, the sand fines ratio is the most influential factor and all the interactions including the sand fines ratio or the crack initial length present high effects. A high coherence between the model and the experimental values in term of fracture energy was noticed and that according to relative error that did not exceed the 28%. After adjustments, the error was highly ameliorated. The model helps in studying the concrete general behavior and offers a reliable tool contributing to the evaluation of the Fracture energy without going through experimental tests considered as costly in terms of time and price.

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