Validation of the favorable quantity of fly ash in concrete and analysis of crack propagation and its length - Using the crack tip tracking (CTT) method - In the fracture toughness examinations under Mode II, through digital image correlation

This article focuses on the analysis of fracture processes in fly ash (FA) concrete considering the second model of cracking. The basic parameter of fracture mechanics in concrete elements according to Mode II fracture, i.e. K-IIc, was determined. Two measuring devices were used in the studies. One of them was the Digital Image Correlation (DIC), which is now a popular and extensively used metrology technique. During the experiments, an attempt was made to validate the results of fracture toughness obtained in strength press tests. The main goal of the studies was to confirm the convergence and determine the discrepancy ranges, between the K-IIc results obtained on the MTS 810 press and using the DIC technique. During the investigations a new concept was proposed in the analysis of concrete fracture processes under Mode II using the DIC method, i.e. evaluation the fracture toughness of the composite by the direct testing of the material with an initial defect - in the crack propagation area (Fig. 7b). In addition, it was attempted to determine the usefulness of the DIC system for the analysis of initial cracks development in concrete elements subjected to shear. For this purpose, basing on the images of major strains and displacements in the X direction, an in-depth assessment of the initial cracks growth was made. The article also presents an original, sophisticated solution for measuring the actual length of a propagating crack in the material with the use of the crack tip tracking (CTT) method. Principal strains epsilon(11) were used to visualise the cracks, while their length was determined as the sum of the relative crack increments (generated at successive stages of the loading of the specimen) measured on the XY plane (rel XY). (C) 2021 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

Automated summary

This article focuses on analyzing fracture processes in fly ash concrete with the second cracking model. It determines the basic parameter of fracture mechanics in concrete elements according to Mode II fracture, and validates the results using Digital Image Correlation (DIC) technique. The study proposes a new concept in concrete fracture analysis and evaluates the usefulness of DIC system for initial crack development in concrete elements subjected to shear.