The WST method, a fracture mechanics test method for FRC
Journal article, 2008

The applicability of the wedge-splitting test method (WST), for determining fracture properties of fibre-reinforced concrete, is discussed. Experimental results, using the WST method, are compared with results from uniaxial tension tests (UTT) and three-point bending tests (3PBT) for five different FRC compositions. Furthermore, for the WST method, two different specimen sizes have been investigated. Results from this investigation demonstrate the applicability of the WST method and show that the scatter of the test results is lower than for the 3PBT. Through inverse analysis, stress-crack opening (sigma-w) relationships have been determined for each mix and test method. For the two WST specimen sizes, there is no apparent difference either in the number of fibres (per cm(2)) crossing the fracture plane or in the fracture properties. The major factor contributing to the scatter in the test results is believed to be related to the variation in the number of fibres across the fracture plane. Furthermore, the inverse analyses indicate no systematic differences in the determined parameters between two WST specimens or between the WST and the 3PBT.

UNIAXIAL TENSION TEST

fibre-reinforced concrete

PARAMETERS

inverse analysis

DESIGN METHODS

fracture testing

FIBER-REINFORCED CONCRETE

WEDGE-SPLITTING TEST

STRENGTH

RILEM TC 162-TDF

Author

Ingemar Lövgren

Chalmers, Civil and Environmental Engineering, Structural Engineering

H. Stang

Technical University of Denmark (DTU)

J. F. Olesen

Technical University of Denmark (DTU)

Materials and Structures/Materiaux et Constructions

1359-5997 (ISSN)

Vol. 41 1 197-211

Subject Categories

Civil Engineering

DOI

10.1617/s11527-007-9231-3

More information

Latest update

2/28/2018