The j-integral and KIc as a measure of fracture toughness of steel fiber concrete

Abstract EN

By using a simple maximum load failure criterion, material toughness can be determined from load-deflection curves measured during testing of notched flexural specimens.

The J-integral (Jc) and the stress intensity factor (Kc) results as a measure of toughness have been determined using four point loading edge notched beams.

Generally, there is a good agreement between these two results which describe the fracture characteristics of steel fibre reinforced concrete (SFRC).

The fibre content varies between 0 % and 1.5 % by volume with perpendicular, parallel and random orientations to load application were adopted in this paper.

Increasing the fibre content results in increased kIc results and also results of JIc.

The enhancement of cracking strength, ultimate strength and fracture toughness for the previous fibre content and orientation are reported.