Critical crack-tip opening displacement of sclc

Abstract

The aim of this study is to consider the effects of water/binder ratio on fracture behavior of self-compacting lightweight concrete (SCLC). To do so, four mixes with constant nominal size of aggregate (da = 12.5 mm) have been prepared such that the weight of aggregate and portion of coarse aggregate to fine aggregate were designed to be constant. Forty-eight notched beam specimens were tested under displacement-controlled condition to achieve the maximum tolerable loads of beams under three-point bending configuration. Afterwards, the results were analyzed according to size effect method to realize the influences regarding water/binder ratio. Test results showed that as the water/binder ratio increased from 0.35 to 0.50, the fracture energy and toughness decreased by 65.8 and 54.5%. Moreover, the water/binder ratio had apparent influences on the values of critical crack-tip opening displacement.