Fracture Energy for Mortar in Compression
Published: 1999
Publication Name: Engineering Fracture Mechanics
Publication URL: https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S0013794499001241
Abstract:
A high resolution three-dimensional scanning technique called X-ray microtomography was used to measure internal crack growth in small mortar cylinders loaded in uniaxial compression. Tomographic scans were made at different load increments in the same specimen. Three-dimensional image analysis was used to measure internal crack growth during each load increment. Loaddeformation curves were used to measure the corresponding work of the external load on the specimen. Fracture energy was calculated using a linear elastic fracture mechanics approach, but using the actual surface area of internal cracks created. Preliminary results indicate fracture energies in the same range as those measured using traditional techniques.