Numerical analysis of break-off test method on concrete

The present study is numerically focused on the break-off (B.O.) test method as a partially destructive method for assessing the in-situ strength of concrete. In this test method, a mechanical manometer is applied to a cylindrical concrete specimen in parallel to the finished surface, and it causes fracture at the base of the B.O. test specimen. Concerning the test procedure, the B.O. test method seems to be similar to the conventional modulus of rupture test. The present study intends to analyze fracture zone stress distribution by means of finite element (FE) method using ABAQUS software. The analysis demonstrates that the approximate location of fracture zone is predictable with contours of damage that have been indicated by concrete damaged plasticity which is one of the material models available for concrete in ABAQUS. Furthermore, parametric studies have been carried out for different testing dimensions. It is noteworthy that in B.O. method, surrounding area of the base of the core specimen can influence on the results and it causes an increase in ultimate force. (C) 2017 Published by Elsevier Ltd.