Statistical Determination of Cracking Probability for Mass Concrete
Publication: Journal of Materials in Civil Engineering
Volume 26, Issue 9
Abstract
This study addresses the use of a stress-to-strength ratio as a failure criterion for thermal cracking. Restrained cracking frame specimens and accompanying match-cured concrete cylinders were tested to determine the ratio of stress-to-splitting tensile strength at cracking. A stress-to-splitting tensile strength ratio of 0.57 was found to give a 50% probability of cracking and lognormal standard deviation of 0.16 when splitting tensile cylinders sized () and () rigid cracking frame specimens were used to determine the stress at cracking. Lognormal fits of the cracking stress from 64 cracking frame tests and the tensile strength calculated from the measured compressive strength using three commonly used equations based on compressive strength were developed.
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Acknowledgments
The authors wish to express their gratitude to the Texas Department of Transportation through Project 0-4563 for funding this research. The work of Jason Meadows at Auburn University in performing some of the rigid cracking frame and concrete mechanical property tests is also gratefully acknowledged. The guidance and assistance of Dr. Rupert Springenschmid and Mr. Erwin Gierlinger to develop the cracking frame test setup are appreciated. Dr. Klaas van Breugel is thanked for providing information on concrete splitting tensile testing performed.
References
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Published In
Journal of Materials in Civil Engineering
Volume 26 • Issue 9 • September 2014
Copyright
© 2014 American Society of Civil Engineers.
History
Received: Feb 7, 2013
Accepted: Sep 19, 2013
Published online: Sep 21, 2013
Published in print: Sep 1, 2014
Discussion open until: Oct 15, 2014
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