A Comparison of the Fracture Behaviour of Various Concrete Grades under Mixed Mode I/II Loading

Abstract

The Brazilian disc test with central notch is widely used to evaluate mixed mode I/II fracture resistance of brittle materials such as rocks and concrete. An analytical evaluation is used based on the maximum tangential stress (MTS) criterion and the generalised maximum tangential stress (GMTS) criterion. In this contribution two concrete types, a C 50/60 and a high strength concrete, were compared using the GMTS criterion. Also, the influence of critical distance rC on the fracture resistance under the mixed mode I/II was studied.