Strain softening of concrete in compression under different end constraints

Abstract

Strain softening of concrete in compression is not just a materials behaviour; it depends also on structural properties. Factors affecting the softening behaviour of concrete, such as concrete strength, gauge length, feedback signal, the length of specimen, shear resistance provided by the loading platens, the rotation of the spherical loading platen, and the stiffness of the testing machine, were examined. The influence of these factors on peak stress, peak strain, strain softening behaviour and failure localization are described and discussed.