A Study of Mode III Fracture Toughness in Young and Mature Concrete with Fly Ash Additive

Abstract

A description of processes of formation and propagation of cracks in material requires the knowledge of all fracture mechanics parameters, i.e.: KIc, KIIcand KIIIc. In this study a new testing method and estimation of the fracture toughness in Mode III (antiplane shear) of concretes containing: 0, 20 and 30% volume content of the class F fly ash (FA) was proposed. Fracture toughness tests were performed on axial torsion machine MTS 809 Axial/Torsional Test System. The studies examined effect of FA additive on the parameter KIIIc. In order to determine the fracture toughness KIIIca special device was made. Experimental investigation under third mode fracture was carried out both in young and mature concrete composites (after: 3, 7, 28, 90, 180 and 365 days). 20% addition of FA as well as a 30% addition of FA causes a reduction in fracture toughness of young concrete. After 28 days of couring a significant increase of the KIIIc was noticed in composites with a 20% additive of FA while concrete mixtures with a higher additive of FA still had lower analyzed fracture mechanics parameter.