• Computers and Concrete
• /
• v.15 no.4
• /
• pp.607-642
• /
• 2015

The stress-strain relationship of concrete in flexure is one of the essential parameters in assessing the flexural strength and ductility of reinforced concrete (RC) columns. An overview of previous research studies revealed that the presence of strain gradient would affect the maximum concrete stress developed in flexure. However, no quantitative model was available to evaluate the strain gradient effect on concrete under flexure. Previously, the authors have conducted experimental studies to investigate the strain gradient effect on maximum concrete stress and respective strain and developed two strain-gradient-dependent factors k3 and ko for modifying the flexural concrete stress-strain curve. As a continued study, the authors herein will extend the investigation of strain gradient effects on flexural strength and ductility of RC columns to concrete strength up to 100 MPa by employing the strain-gradient-dependent concrete stress-strain curve using nonlinear moment-curvature analysis. It was evident from the results that both the flexural strength and ductility of RC columns are improved under strain gradient effect. Lastly, for practical engineering design purpose, a new equivalent rectangular concrete stress block incorporating the combined effects of strain gradient and concrete strength was proposed and validated. Design formulas and charts have also been presented for flexural strength and ductility of RC columns.

• Proceedings of the Computational Structural Engineering Institute Conference
• /
• 2008.04a
• /
• pp.614-617
• /
• 2008

This paper presents the numerical investigation of the characteristics of biaxial flexure specimens for the Biaxial Flexure Test(BFT) which was recently developed to measure the biaxial tensile strength of concrete. Using FEM, the effect of size and eccentricity on the specimens was evaluated. The parameters such as radious of the support and the loadings, thickness and free length were studied. The results of the FE analysis were entirely consistent with the predictive solution, when b/agt;0.4, h/alt;0.6 and the thickness of the specimens were increased. On the other hands, when b/agt;0.4, those with lesser free length showed good results. To limit the difference between the stresses at the end points of 2b as the specimen was sustained and the stress at the center point of the specimen are not over 10%, lateral eccentricity was analyzed to be in the limits of 3%.

• KSCE Journal of Civil and Environmental Engineering Research
• /
• v.30 no.2A
• /
• pp.185-191
• /
• 2010

Because the concrete crack that is the reason of the serviceability and durability degradation of concrete structure can be arisen from either the stress magnitude and gradient or other structural and material defects, the crack strength of concrete is hard to accurately evaluate. Especially, stress-state in concrete plate components such as rigid pavement and long span slab is biaxial flexure stress, and the flexural strength of those component may be different than the traditional rupture modulus of concrete subjected to uniaxial stress. In this study, an experimental investigation to assess of mechanical behavior under uniaxial and biaxial flexure stress is conducted and the proposed optimum specimen configuration is adopted. From the test, the modulus of rupture under uniaxial and biaxial stress are decreased as the size of aggregate or specimen is larger. And biaxial flexure strength of concrete specimens is varied from 39.5 to 99.2% as compared with that of uniaxial strength, and the biaxial strength of specimen with 20mm aggregate size is only 76% of uniaxial strength.

• Proceedings of the Korea Concrete Institute Conference
• /
• 2005.05a
• /
• pp.399-402
• /
• 2005

This paper presents shear strength of concrete beam using FRP bars for flexure and shear reinforcements. Generally, the material properties of FRP bar are different from steel reinforcement. So, the shear strength correction factor is proposed through the experimental results.

• The Journal of Korean Academy of Prosthodontics
• /
• v.38 no.5
• /
• pp.575-582
• /
• 2000

This investigation was designed to determine whether heat-pressing and/or simulated heat treatments affected the flexure strength and the microstructure of the lithium disilicate glass-ceramic in the IPS Empress 2 system. Four groups of the specimens were prepared as follows: group 1 - as-received material, group 2 - heat-pressed material; group 3 - heat-pressed and simulated initial heat-treated material; group 4 - heat-pressed and the simulated heat-treated material with full firings for a final restoration. The three-point bending test and the scanning elec-tron microscope (SEM) analysis was conducted for the purpose of this study. The flexure strength of group 2 was significantly higher than that of group 1. However, there were no significant differences in strength among group 2, 3, and 4, and between group 1 and 4. The SEM micrographs of the lithium disilicate glass-ceramic showed the closely packed, multi-directionally interlocking microstructure of numerous lithium disilicate crystals protruding from the glass matrix. The crystals of the heat-pressed materials (group 2, 3, and 4) were a little denser and about two times bigger than those of the as-received material (group 1). This change of microstructure is more obviously exhibited particularly between group 1 and 2. However, there was no a marked difference among group 2, 3, and 4 after the heat-pressing procedure. Although there were significant increase of the strength and some changes of the microstructure after the heat-pressing operation, the combination of the heat-pressing and the simulated subsequent heat treatments did not produce the increase of strength of IPS Empress 2 glass-ceramic.

• KSCE Journal of Civil and Environmental Engineering Research
• /
• v.33 no.3
• /
• pp.901-907
• /
• 2013

In this study, flexural strength properties of concrete under biaxial stress state were experimentally investigated. Tests for size effect and fatigue behaviour of concrete under biaxial stress were carried out by the ASTM C 1550 and the biaxial flexure test(BFT). The results given by the biaxial tests were compared to those by the third-point bending test. Test results showed that biaxial flexural strengths obtained from the ASTM C 1550 and the biaxial flexure test are greater than the strength by the third-point bending test. As the size increases, the uniaxial and biaxial flexural strength decreases. However, the slope of the size effect of the biaxial strength was greater than that of the uniaxial strength. Finally, the fatigue response of concrete under the biaxial stress state was similar with that for uniaxial stress state.

• Journal of the Korea Concrete Institute
• /
• v.12 no.2
• /
• pp.21-30
• /
• 2000

In the Ultimate Strength Design, the design strength of a member is determined by multiplying the strength reduction factor to the nominal strength. This concept may be a reasonable approach, however it can not consider failure modes appropriately. Moreover, column design strength diagram show an abrupt change at a low level of axial load, which does not seem to be reasonable. This research compares the design strength determined by the strength resistance factors. As the material resistance factors for flexure and compression, 0.65 and 0.90 are proposed for concrete and steel, respectively. The design strength calculation process by applying material resistance factors addresses failure modes more effectively than by applying member strength reduction factor, and provides more resnable design strength for reinforced concrete flexural and compression members.

• The Journal of Korean Academy of Prosthodontics
• /
• v.40 no.6
• /
• pp.572-576
• /
• 2002

This investigation was designed to estimate the biaxial flexure strength and fracture toughness of lithium disilicate glass-ceramics of IPS Empress 2 system pressed with as-received ingots and their sprue buttons. Two groups of the lithium disilicate glass-ceramics were prepared as follows: group 1 is ingot-pressed group; group 2 is sprue button-pressed group. A ball-on-three-ball test was used to determine biaxial flexure strength (BFS) of disks in wet environment. Scanning electron microscopy(SEM) analysis was conducted to observe the microstructure of the ceramics. Unpaired t-test showed that there were no differences in the mean biaxial Hem strength (BFS) and KIC values between group 1 and 2 (p > 0.05). Two groups showed similar values in the KIC and the strength at 5% failure probability. The SEM micrographs of the IPS Empress 2 glass-ceramic showed a closely packed, multi-directionally interlocking pattern of numerous lithium disilicate crystals protruding from the glass matrix. The lithium orthophosphate crystals could not be observed on the fracture surface etched. There was no a marked difference of the microstructure between group 1 and 2. Although there were no tests including color stability, casting accuracy, etc., the results of this study implied that we could reuse the sprue button of the pressed lithium disilicate glass-ceramic of IPS Empress 2 system.

• Transactions of the Korean Society of Mechanical Engineers A
• /
• v.26 no.5
• /
• pp.932-938
• /
• 2002

In structural applications, brittle materials such as soda-lime glasses and ceramics are usually subjected to multiaxial stress state. Brittle materials with cracks or damage by foreign object impacts are apt to fracture abruptly from cracks, because of their properities of very high strength and low fracture toughness. But in most cases, the residual strength of structural members with damage has been tested under uniaxial stress condition such as the 4-point bend test. Depending upon the crack pattern developed, the strength under multiaxial stress state might be different from the one under uniaxial. A comparative study was carried out to investigate the influence of stress state on the residual strength evaluation. In comparable tests, the residual strength under biaxial stress state by the ball-on-ring test was greater than that under the uniaxial one by the 4-point bend test, when a small size indendation crack was introduced. In the case that crack having an angle of 90deg. to the applied stress direction, the ratio of biaxial to uniaxial flexure strength was about 1.12. The residual strength was different from crack angles to loading direction when it was evaluated by the 4-point bend test. The ratio of residual strength of 45deg. crack to 90deg. one was about 1.20. In the case of specimen cracked by a spherical impact, it was shown that an overall decrease in flexure strength with increasing impact velocity, and the critical impact velocity for formation of a radial and/or cone crack was about 30m/s. In those cases that relatively large cracks were developed as compared with the case of indented cracks, the ratio of residual strength under biaxial stress state to one uniaxial became small.

• Proceedings of the Korea Concrete Institute Conference
• /
• 2005.05a
• /
• pp.471-474
• /
• 2005

This thesis presents the results of a study on improvement in flexure capacities of reinforced concrete beams strengthened with prestressed CFRP plates. Test variables included the type of strengthening, steel ratio and prestressing level. The experimental results show that proposed methods can increase the flexure capacity such as strength, stiffness of the beam remarkably.