Determination of the specific fracture energy of AAR-affected concrete using the wedge-splitting method Available to Purchase

Fracture mechanical tests were done on specimens of concrete affected by the alkali—aggregate reaction (AAR). The influence of deterioration of the concrete due to the AAR on the fracture mechanical behaviour was determined using the wedge splitting method. Cubic samples were taken from standard concrete prisms, and a load—displacement diagram was recorded for the stable separation of the specimen. The results show that for comparable variants the specific fracture energy G_F of AAR-affected concrete exhibits a marked drop according to the induced damage. The calculated nominal notch tensile strength behaves similarly to G_F. The mechanical parameters G_F, F_hmax and ó are more relevant than the classical lengthchange measurements to the quantitative assessment of the deterioration of concrete affected by the AAR.