Technical Papers
May 29, 2020

Advances in Knowledge of the Fracture Properties of Cohesive Materials: Fired-Clay and Tuff Bricks

Publication: Journal of Engineering Mechanics
Volume 146, Issue 8

Abstract

This paper presents an experimental work aimed at determining the fracture properties of fired-clay and tuff brick, obtained from construction sites of existing buildings and a commercially available fired-clay brick. This paper provides a range of values of the fracture properties of natural and artificial bricks used in existing constructions. Natural and artificial stones are quasi-brittle materials and the cohesive crack model can be used to describe the propagation of cracks in these materials. However, some of the parameters of the cohesive crack model are calibrated against a large set of data of concrete specimens and might not be suitable for other quasi-brittle materials that feature a smaller fracture process zone. In this paper, digital image correlation (DIC) is used to put forward a new approach to measure the critical crack opening wc and therefore gain a new insight into the fracture parameters of bricks.

Get full access to this article

View all available purchase options and get full access to this article.

Data Availability Statement

Data used to generate Tables 1 and 2 and Figs. 2, 3, 5, and 79 during the study are available from the corresponding author by request.

References

Alam, S. Y., J. Saliba, and A. Loukili. 2014. “Fracture examination in concrete through combined digital image correlation and acoustic emission techniques.” Constr. Build. Mater. 69 (Oct): 232–242. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.conbuildmat.2014.07.044.
Allahvirdizadeh, R., D. V. Oliveira, and R. A. Silva. 2019. “Numerical modeling of the seismic out-of-plane response of a plain and TRM-strengthened rammed earth subassembly.” Eng. Struct. 193 (Aug): 43–56. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.engstruct.2019.05.022.
Baietti, G., L. Carabba, G. Quartarone, C. Carloni, S. Manzi, and M. C. Bignozzi. 2019. “Fracture properties of alkali activated mortars.” In Proc., 10th Int. Conf. on Fracture Mechanics of Concrete and Concrete Structures, IA-FraMCoS. Berkeley, CA: IA-FraMCoS. https://doi.org/10.21012/fc10.238496.
Bažant, Z. P. 1984. “Size effect in blunt fracture: Concrete, rock, metal.” J. Eng. Mech. 110 (4): 518–535. https://doi.org/10.1061/(ASCE)0733-9399(1984)110:4(518).
Bažant, Z. P. 1985. “Fracture in concrete and reinforced concrete.” In Proc., IUTAM Prager Symp. on Mechanics of Geomaterials: Rocks, Concretes, Soil. Hoboken, NJ: Wiley.
Bažant, Z. P. 2001. “Concrete fracture models: Testing and practice.” Eng. Fract. Mech. 69 (2): 165–205. https://doi.org/10.1016/S0013-7944(01)00084-4.
Bažant, Z. P. 2005. Scaling of structural strength. Burlington, MA: Elsevier.
Bažant, Z. P., and J. Planas. 1998. “Fracture and size effect in concrete and other quasibrittle materials.” In New directions in civil engineering. Boca Raton, FL: CRC Press.
Bhowmik, S., and S. Ray. 2019. “An experimental approach for characterization of fracture process zone in concrete.” Eng. Fract. Mech. 211 (Apr): 401–419. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.engfracmech.2019.02.026.
Carloni, C. 2014. “Analyzing bond characteristics between composites and quasi-brittle substrates in the repair of bridges and other concrete structures.” In Advanced composites in bridge construction and repair, 61–93. Cambridge, MA: Elsevier.
Carloni, C., G. Cusatis, M. Salviato, J.-L. Le, C. G. Hoover, and Z. P. Bažant. 2019a. “Critical comparison of the boundary effect model with cohesive crack model and size effect law.” Eng. Fract. Mech. 215 (Jun): 193–210. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.engfracmech.2019.04.036.
Carloni, C., M. Santandrea, and G. Baietti. 2019b. “Influence of the width of the specimen on the fracture response of concrete notched beams.” Eng. Fract. Mech. 216 (Jul): 106465. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.engfracmech.2019.04.039.
Carrara, P., D. Ferretti, and F. Freddi. 2013. “Debonding behavior of ancient masonry elements strengthened with CFRP sheets.” Composites Part B 45 (1): 800–810. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.compositesb.2012.04.029.
Cedolin, L., and G. Cusatis. 2008. “Identification of concrete fracture parameters through size effect experiments.” Cem. Concr. Compos. 30 (9): 788–797. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.cemconcomp.2008.05.007.
Cedolin, L., S. Dei Poli, and I. Iori. 1987. “Tensile behavior of concrete.” J. Eng. Mech. 113 (3): 431–449. https://doi.org/10.1061/(ASCE)0733-9399(1987)113:3(431).
CEN (European Committee for Standardization). 2011. Methods of test for masonry units. Part 1: Determination of compressive strength. EN 772-1:2011. Brussels, Belgium: CEN.
Cusatis, G., and E. A. Schauffert. 2009. “Cohesive crack analysis of size effect.” Eng. Fract. Mech. 76 (14): 2163–2173. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.engfracmech.2009.06.008.
D’Altri, A. M., C. Carloni, S. de Miranda, and G. Castellazzi. 2018a. “Numerical modeling of FRP strips bonded to a masonry substrate.” Compos. Struct. 200 (Sep): 420–433. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.compstruct.2018.05.119.
D’Altri, A. M., S. de Miranda, G. Castellazzi, and V. Sarhosis. 2018b. “A 3D detailed micro-model for the in-plane and out-of-plane numerical analysis of masonry panels.” Comput. Struct. 206 (Aug): 18–30. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.compstruc.2018.06.007.
D’Altri, A. M., F. Messali, J. Rots, G. Castellazzi, and S. de Miranda. 2019. “A damaging block-based model for the analysis of the cyclic behaviour of full-scale masonry structures.” Eng. Fract. Mech. 209 (Mar): 423–448. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.engfracmech.2018.11.046.
Elices, M., G. V. Guinea, and J. Planas. 1992. “Measurement of the fracture energy using three-point bend tests: Part 3—Influence of cutting the P-δ tail.” Mater. Struct. 25 (6): 327–334. https://doi.org/10.1007/BF02472591.
Golewski, G. L. 2019. “Measurement of fracture mechanics parameters of concrete containing fly ash thanks to use of Digital Image Correlation (DIC) method.” Meas.: J. Int. Meas. Confederation 135 (Mar): 96–105. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.measurement.2018.11.032.
Graziani, L., M. Kneć, T. Sadowski, M. D’Orazio, and S. Lenci. 2014. “Measurement of R-curve in clay brick blocks using optical measuring technique.” Eng. Fract. Mech. 121–122 (May): 1–10. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.engfracmech.2014.04.007.
Guinea, G. V., J. Planas, and M. Elices. 1992. “Measurement of the fracture energy using three-point bend tests: Part 1—Influence of experimental procedures.” Mater. Struct. 25 (4): 212–218. https://doi.org/10.1007/BF02473065.
Guinea, G. V., J. Planas, and M. Elices. 1994. “A general bilinear fit for the softening curve of concrete.” Mater. Struct. 27 (2): 99–105. https://doi.org/10.1007/BF02472827.
Hillerborg, A. 1985. “The theoretical basis of a method to determine the fracture energyG F of concrete.” Mater. Struct. 18 (4): 291–296. https://doi.org/10.1007/BF02472919.
Hillerborg, A., M. Modéer, and P.-E. Petersson. 1976. “Analysis of crack formation and crack growth in concrete by means of fracture mechanics and finite elements.” Cem. Concr. Res. 6 (6): 773–781. https://doi.org/10.1016/0008-8846(76)90007-7.
Hoover, C. G., and Z. P. Bažant. 2013. “Comprehensive concrete fracture tests: Size effects of Types 1 & 2, crack length effect and postpeak.” Eng. Fract. Mech. 110 (Sep): 281–289. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.engfracmech.2013.08.008.
Neville, A. M. 1995. Properties of concrete. Upper Saddle River, NJ: Pearson/Prentice Hall.
Petersson, P.-E. 1981. “Crack growth and development of fracture zones in plain concrete and similar materials.” Ph.D. thesis, Div. of Building Materials, Lund Institute of Technology.
Planas, J., M. Elices, and G. V. Guinea. 1992. “Measurement of the fracture energy using three-point bend tests: Part 2—Influence of bulk energy dissipation.” Mater. Struct. 25 (5): 305–312. https://doi.org/10.1007/BF02472671.
Rice, J. R. 1968. “Mathemathical analysis in the mechanics of fracture.” In Fracture: An advanced treatise, 191–311. New York: Academic Press.
Saucedo, L., R. C. Yu, and G. Ruiz. 2012. “Fully-developed FPZ length in quasi-brittle materials.” Int. J. Fract. 178 (1–2): 97–112. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10704-012-9769-0.
Scorza, D., A. Carpinteri, G. Fortese, S. Vantadori, D. Ferretti, and R. Brighenti. 2015. “Investigation of mode I fracture toughness of red verona marble after thermal treatment.” Frattura Integrita Strutturale 9 (34): 70–73. https://doi.org/10.3221/IGF-ESIS.34.06.
Shah, S. G., and J. M. C. Kishen. 2011. “Fracture properties of concrete-concrete interfaces using digital image correlation.” Exp. Mech. 51 (3): 303–313. https://doi.org/10.1007/s11340-010-9358-y.
Skaråyåski, Å., E. Syroka, and J. Tejchman. 2011. “Measurements and calculations of the width of the fracture process zones on the surface of notched concrete beams.” Supplement, Strain 47 (S1): e319–e332. https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1475-1305.2008.00605.x.
Spagnoli, A., D. Cendon Franco, and A. D’Angelo. 2018. “Experimental investigation on the fracture behaviour of natural stones exposed to monotonic and cyclic loading.” Frattura Integrità Strutturale 13 (47): 394–400. https://doi.org/10.3221/IGF-ESIS.47.29.
Sutton, M. A., J.-J. Orteu, and H. W. Schreier. 2009. Image correlation for shape, motion and deformation measurements: Basic concepts, theory and applications. New York: Springer.
Tada, H., P. C. Paris, and G. R. Irwin. 2000. The stress analysis of cracks handbook. 3rd ed. New York: ASME.
Terreal San Marco. 2017. “Technical datasheet.” Accessed August 15, 2019. https://sanmarco.it/scheda-prodotto.php?id-categoria=2&id-prodotto=36.
Wu, Z., H. Rong, J. Zheng, F. Xu, and W. Dong. 2011. “An experimental investigation on the FPZ properties in concrete using digital image correlation technique.” Eng. Fract. Mech. 78 (17): 2978–2990. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.engfracmech.2011.08.016.

Information & Authors

Information

Published In

Go to Journal of Engineering Mechanics
Journal of Engineering Mechanics
Volume 146Issue 8August 2020

History

Received: Sep 27, 2019
Accepted: Mar 12, 2020
Published online: May 29, 2020
Published in print: Aug 1, 2020
Discussion open until: Oct 29, 2020

Permissions

Request permissions for this article.

Authors

Affiliations

Assistant Professor, Dept. of Architecture, Built Environment, and Construction Engineering, Politecnico di Milano, Via Ponzio 31, 20133 Milan, Italy. ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0001-7397-1447. Email: [email protected]
Mattia Santandrea, Ph.D. [email protected]
Dept. of Civil, Chemical, Environmental, and Materials Engineering, Univ. of Bologna, Viale Risorgimento 2, 40136 Bologna, Italy. Email: [email protected]
Christian Carloni [email protected]
Associate Professor, Dept. of Civil Engineering, Case Western Reserve Univ., 10900 Euclid Ave., Cleveland, OH 44106 (corresponding author). Email: [email protected]

Metrics & Citations

Metrics

Citations

Download citation

If you have the appropriate software installed, you can download article citation data to the citation manager of your choice. Simply select your manager software from the list below and click Download.

Cited by

View Options

Get Access

Access content

Please select your options to get access

Log in/Register Log in via your institution (Shibboleth)
ASCE Members: Please log in to see member pricing

Purchase

Save for later Information on ASCE Library Cards
ASCE Library Cards let you download journal articles, proceedings papers, and available book chapters across the entire ASCE Library platform. ASCE Library Cards remain active for 24 months or until all downloads are used. Note: This content will be debited as one download at time of checkout.

Terms of Use: ASCE Library Cards are for individual, personal use only. Reselling, republishing, or forwarding the materials to libraries or reading rooms is prohibited.
ASCE Library Card (5 downloads)
$105.00
Add to cart
ASCE Library Card (20 downloads)
$280.00
Add to cart
Buy Single Article
$35.00
Add to cart

Get Access

Access content

Please select your options to get access

Log in/Register Log in via your institution (Shibboleth)
ASCE Members: Please log in to see member pricing

Purchase

Save for later Information on ASCE Library Cards
ASCE Library Cards let you download journal articles, proceedings papers, and available book chapters across the entire ASCE Library platform. ASCE Library Cards remain active for 24 months or until all downloads are used. Note: This content will be debited as one download at time of checkout.

Terms of Use: ASCE Library Cards are for individual, personal use only. Reselling, republishing, or forwarding the materials to libraries or reading rooms is prohibited.
ASCE Library Card (5 downloads)
$105.00
Add to cart
ASCE Library Card (20 downloads)
$280.00
Add to cart
Buy Single Article
$35.00
Add to cart

Media

Figures

Other

Tables

Share

Share

Copy the content Link

Share with email

Email a colleague

Share