Title:
Influence of Test Control on the Load-Deflection Behavior of FRC
Author(s):
A. Khajuria, Z. El-Shakra, S. Gopalaratnam, and P. Balaguru
Publication:
Symposium Paper
Volume:
142
Issue:
Appears on pages(s):
167-180
Keywords:
beams (supports); concretes; fiber reinforced concretes; deflection; fibers; lightweight concretes; strength; tests; toughness; General
DOI:
10.14359/3986
Date:
1/1/1994
Abstract:
Compares load-deflection responses obtained using deflection control and crack-mouth opening displacement (CMOD) control. CMOD control provides a more stable response in the immediate post-peak regime of the load-deflection response than deflection control. The differences in the responses recorded using these two types of test control are more pronounced for the more brittle mixes. Results reported and discussed in this paper were obtained using third-point loading in flexure. Deflection controlled tests were performed using manual control on a stiff million-lb-capacity machine. This is similar to the manner in which most commercial laboratories perform deflection controlled tests on concrete specimens. CMOD controlled tests were conducted using a servo-controlled machine. Normal and lightweight aggregate concrete mixes were evaluated with polymeric fiber loadings of 1, 2, 3, and 4 lb/yd 3 (0.6, 1.2, 1.8, 2.4 kg/m 3). Overall load-deflection response and material toughness values are compared and discussed. Beams reinforced with low volume contents of polymeric fibers typically exhibit a sharp drop in load carrying capacity after first crack. The shape of the load-deflection response in the initial portion of the softening regime is important for toughness computations, particularly for the smaller ASTM indices, such as I 5 and I 10. Since the type of test control and the level of post-peak stability provided by the test set-up influence the shape of the load-deflection response in this regime of interest, there are questions regarding the objectivity of toughness indexes computed at small limiting deflections.