A NEW METHOD FOR CONTROLLING SECONDARY FLEXURE DURING UNIAXIAL TENSION TEST OF CONCRETE

The authors have already established a test procedure for uniaxial tension test of concrete, eliminating secondary flexure, multiple cracks and overlapping cracks. In this paper, another approach for controlling secondary flexure is presented. It gives an artificial flexure to a specimen by non-equal-depth-notches and by maintaining deformation difference of opposite faces at a low constant level. The flexure control makes the whole cross section of the specimen softened, and provides an accurate tensile strength. Tension softening curves obtained are more monotonous and continuous under this condition than in the case of complete elimination of the flexure. Thus, this new control method of secondary flexure is evaluated to be superior than complete elimination of the flexure.

• ABSTRACT

• INTRODUCTION

• THE CONCEPT OF NEW CONTROL METHOD

• TESTING PROCEDURE

• TEST RESULTS AND DISCUSSION

• CONCLUSIONS

• REFERENCES