Wedge-splitting on compact tension specimen testing method is a technique which carries out fracture tests by combining the compact tension geometry configuration with the wedge-splitting loading pat- tern in wedge splitting testing method. Usually for wedge-splitting specimens especially for ones…
Wedge-splitting on compact tension specimen testing method is a technique which carries out fracture tests by combining the compact tension geometry configuration with the wedge-splitting loading pat- tern in wedge splitting testing method. Usually for wedge-splitting specimens especially for ones with larger size, the vertical component of load applied on specimen is not collinear with the supporting reaction force, thereby producing the additional moment which influences the measured value of fracturel parameters. The present method can remove such impact, and lower the stiffness required for machine. A total of 36 speci- mens with different sizes of which the maximum size is 1250mm×1200mm×200mm are prepared to examine double-K fracture parameters and fracture energy. The experimental results show that the used fracture test- ing method is easy and stable. Moreover, the measured double-K fracture parametersKini,Kun are independent Ic Ic of specimens’ size, similar to which the determined fracture energy has no size-effect within the testing range. 1 INSTRUCTIONS In order to describe the complete fracture process of concrete including cracking initiation, steady Three-point bending test (TPBT) on notched beams, crack propagation and unsteady crack propagation, a compact tension test (CT-test) and wedge splitting double-K crack propagation criterion was proposed test (WS-test) have been widely used to determine in our prior work (Xu & Reinhardt 1999a). The de- the fracture parameters of cementitious materials termination and analytical evaluation of KiniandKun Ic Ic (Swartz & Refai 1987, Xu & Zhao 1991, Xu et al. using three-point bending notched beams, compact 1991, Ratanalert & Wecharatana 1989, Wittmann et tension specimens and wedge splitting specimens al. 1990, Brühwiler & Wittmann 1990, Zhao et al. were conducteded (Xu and Reinhardt 1999b,c). Due 1991, Kim et al. 1992, Mihashi et al.