Author(s)

V. Tran Tu

Abstract

Size effect of the fracture toughness in concrete structures V. Tran Tu National Center for Scientific Research of Vietnam, Hanoi, Vietnam ABSTRACT On the basis of the theoretical analysis of fracture on concrete elements loaded in uniaxial tension and in bending, expression of characteristic length, previously proposed by Hillerborg, is determined. With the physical significance found in the text, the characteristic length becomes one of the parameters determining the bearing carrying capacity of concrete structures. By numerical analysis of fracture on concrete notched beams in bending, a newly proposed formula describing the size effect of fracture toughness is developed. When checked it is found to be in good agreement with the available data sets in references. The role of each intrinsic fracture property of materials, especially the shape of stress - crack opening curve, in proposed Equation is presented graphically. This Equation proved its predominance in applicatio

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