Size-effect independence of hybrid fiber-reinforced roller-compacted concrete fracture toughness

Abstract

The present paper aims to prove the size-effect independence of Hybrid Fiber-Reinforced RCC (HyFR-RCC) fracture toughness determined through the Modified Two-Parameter Model (MTPM). A micromechanical numerical model is applied to simulate the fracture behavior of seven series of single edge-notched specimens, made of both plain-RCCs and FR-RCCs (single and hybrid reinforcements), subjected to three-point bending. The MTPM is applied to the numerical load vs CMOD curves to compute the fracture toughness. A comparison with experimental values, available in the literature, is performed. Therefore, RCC specimens with different sizes are numerically simulated and the fracture toughness is analytically determined through the MTPM, proving the size-effect independence.

Keywords

• Fracture toughness
• Micromechanical numerical model
• Modified Two-Parameter Model
• Size-effect
• Roller-compacted concrete
• Three-point bending