Fracture bi-linear model parameters and brittleness of high-performance concretes for paving: why fatigue tests matters and cannot be spared?

Abstract

Fracture tests on two high-performance concrete for pavements were performed using the wedge-split test. The results allowed perceiving the same specific fracture energy for both concrete. However, the crack opening during the tests as well as the characteristic length of the materials resulted in roundly distinct behaviors in terms of brittleness. Previous fatigue studies for both concretes are then fairly readdressed pointing out the unavoidable needs for studying the concrete brittleness as a parametric way for selecting suitable concrete proportions and materials as well as to reach its microstructural behavior in order to acquire an appropriate judgment about its fatigue performance.