Title:
Fatigue Strength of Plain, Ordinary,
and Lightweight Concrete
Author(s):
Ralejs Tepfers and Thomas Kutti
Publication:
Journal Proceedings
Volume:
76
Issue:
5
Appears on pages(s):
635-652
Keywords:
compression; compressive strength;lightweight aggregate concretes; stresses;
concretes; fatigue (materials); fatigue tests.
DOI:
10.14359/6962
Date:
5/1/1979
Abstract:
An equation is proposed for the determination of the fatigue strength of plain, ordinary, and lightweight concrete when subjected to copressive stresses. The equation expresses both the Wohler and the Smith diagram, and it is made clear that the Wohler diagram should be constructed for constant values of the ratio between the lowest and the highest compressive stress under pulsating load, and not for constant stress amplitudes or for constant lower stresses. The equation is verified by laboratory experiments which are presented and by test data taken from the literature. In comparing the fatigue properties of ordinary concrete of 2250 kg/m3 (3792 Ib/yd3) density and those of lightweight concrete of densities ranging from 1500 to 1800 kg/m3 (2528 to 3034 Ib/yd3), it is evident that both types of concrete have the same susceptibility to fatigue and that, for compressive stresses, the fatigue strength can be determined using the proposed equation.