Fatigue properties of RPC under cyclic loads of single-stage and multi-level amplitude

Fatigue properties of Reactive Powder Concrete (RPC) under axial compression of single-stage and multi-level amplitude in cycles were studied. The tests reveal the fatigue life, the strain and residual life of the RPC samples. Through the analysis of the test results under cyclic loads of single amplitude, the S-N curve of RPC and the evolution rule of macro-damage of RPC were presented, which can be divided into latency stage, stable development stage and instability development stage according to the evolution pattern of the fatigue crack. Accordingly, the development of longitudinal deformation presents the similar three-stage-model, and the proportion of each stage is 15%, 75%, and 10%. According to test results, the fatigue strength reduction factor is 0.564. We brought forward an empirical formula to predict the life of RPC via total longitudinal strain and got the evolving rule for the residual strength of the RPC. The analysis of the test results under cyclic loads of multi-level amplitude shows that the strain under this loading pattern experiences three stages. The characteristic value for the residual strain was obtained. The irreversible damage and non-linear evolution of RPC was described by the development of the residual plastic strain.