Engineering Structures 29 (2007) 23342343 www.elsevier.

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Fracture mechanics of anged reinforced concrete sections

Nabil A.B. Yehia , Noran M. Wahab
Structural Engineering Department, Cairo University, Cairo, Egypt Received 21 July 2006; received in revised form 23 November 2006; accepted 23 November 2006 Available online 11 January 2007

Abstract This work reports on the application of fracture mechanics to study the exural behavior of T-section reinforced concrete beams. Twelve beam specimens; nine anged and three rectangular, were tested experimentally in a four point bending test in a displacement controlled environment. Three main parameters were considered: the ratio of the ange width to web thickness (B/b), the ratio of slab thickness to total height (ts / h), and the ratio of the tension reinforcement steel. The beams size was 70 300 1400 mm, the reinforcing steels tension ratios varied between 0.48%, 0.61% and 0.73%, the values of (B/b) varied between 1, 1.5, 2, 2.5 while the values of (ts / h) varied between 0, 0.1, 0.15, 0.2. All the beams have a constant span/depth ratio of 4, and initial notch/depth ratio of 0.3. The concrete used had cube strength of 25 MPa at the time of testing while the reinforcing steel has a nominal yield strength of 530 MPa. Measurements included load, steel strain, concrete strain and deection. The Fracture Mechanics algorithm proposed by Baluch was employed to analytically investigate the fracture behavior of the T-shaped reinforced concrete beams. The results obtained from the Fracture Mechanics approach were checked against the experimental results. Moreover, a nite element analysis was carried out for the same purpose. The results of both the Fracture Mechanics approach and the nite element analysis were found to be in good agreement with the experimental results. Yet, both approaches underestimate the maximum capacity of the beam. c 2007 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.
Keywords: Fracture mechanics; Reinforced concrete; Flanged section; Flexure design

1. Introduction Experimental investigation has been used as a tool in investigating the fracture behavior of plain and reinforced concrete. A number of experimental testing techniques and specimen types have been proposed and used in order to determine fracture parameters of plain concrete in mode I fracture [14]. Yehia [5,6] experimentally investigated the fracture behavior of notched plain concrete beams with large specimen size as close as possible to the practical beam dimensions. Yehia [7] compared three point bend specimens to four point bend specimens in studying the size effect on fracture of concrete. Meanwhile, for reinforced concrete beams, experimental investigation has been used for many purposes. Baluch [8] presented a LEFM based model for studying crack propagation in RC beams subjected to mode I stress elds, where he checked his model experimentally. Yehia et al. [9] investigated experimentally the effect of concrete
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E-mail address: nyehia@link.net (N.A.B. Yehia). 0141-0296/$ - see front matter c 2007 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved. doi:10.1016/j.engstruct.2006.11.020

strength and reinforcement ratio on the fracture behavior of the reinforced concrete beams. They used this experimental investigation in modifying the model proposed by Baluch [8]. Bosco et al. [10] have proposed a minimum reinforcement ratio for concrete beams based on an experimental investigation. Yehia [11] conducted a four point bending test to study the size effect on reinforced concrete beam behavior and fracture with beam dimensions up to full scale. Yet, all these researches were conducted on reinforced concrete beams with rectangular sections. On the analytical level, Hillerborg [12] proved that stress strain diagrams for concrete in the compression zone is size dependent. Carpenteri et al. [13] proposed a fracture mechanics model for bending of reinforced concrete beams assuming a linear elastic material model for concrete and a linear elasticplastic model for steel. The effect of reinforcing steel bars is simulated by a closing force whose magnitude is determined by a compatibility condition. Ashmawy et al. [14] and Baluch et al. [8] modied this model to include the nonlinear behavior of concrete under compression. A similar analysis based on the ctitious crack model has

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Fig. 1. Typical concrete dimensions and longitudinal reinforcement for the specimen.

been proposed by Grestel et al. [15]. Yehia [16] extended the BaluchCarpenteri approach to handle doubly reinforced concrete sections. The rst main objective of the work presented here is to experimentally investigate the effect of changing the ratio of ange width to web thickness (B/b) and the ratio of slab thickness to beam height (ts / h) of the Tee section on the fracture behavior of the beam. The second objective is to verify the fracture mechanics based analytical solution with test measurements on anged beams. It should be mentioned here that on the micro scale level rock aggregate particles in the concrete could act as crack arrestors. However, as our analysis with both fracture mechanics and nite elements is carried out on the macro scale level, no aggregate interlock is considered, only the mechanical properties of the concrete and the steel as two separate homogeneous materials perfectly connected to each other.
Fig. 2. Schematic drawing showing the general set up.

2. Experimental program To investigate the fracture behavior of T-section reinforced concrete beams compared to rectangular section ones, twelve beams were cast and tested experimentally. The concrete was made of dolomite, as coarse aggregate, well graded sand, as ne aggregate, and Ordinary Portland Cement and had a cube strength f cu = 25 MPa. The reinforcing steel of 6 and 8 mm diameter had 310 N/mm2 yield strength while the 10 and 12 mm diameters had a yield strength of 520 N/mm2 . All beams are 1400 mm long. The beam section near the support is 70 mm 450 mm to prevent shear failure. The beam section at mid span is 70 mm300 mm to ensure that the neutral axis at failure lies outside the ange. Although the ange is necessary only at mid span, it was extended 350 mm on each side of the mid span to avoid sudden change in cross section. All beams have typical shear reinforcement. Stirrups were concentrated at supports and at the point of load application to avoid bearing failure as shown in Fig. 1. All anges are provided with (8 6) as they are only subjected to exural loads due to their own weight. The 12 beams consist of 3 rectangular section beams and 9 T-section beams as follows: Group1: For (ts / h) = 0.2 and = 0.6%, (B/b) changes as: 1, 1.5, 2, 2.5. Group2: For (ts / h) = 0.15 and = 0.48%, (B/b) changes as: 1, 1.5, 2, 2.5.

Group3: For (B/b) = 1.5 and = 0.73%, (ts / h) changes as: 0, 0.1, 0.15, 0.2. It should be noted that when B/b = 1, ts / h = 0, and vice versa, the case resembles a rectangular section. The specimens then underwent a four point bending test to ensure pure bending (Mode I fracture) with a constant rate of displacement of 1 mm/min. This was achieved by using a closed loop servocontrolled testing machine. 2.1. Specimen manufacturing, preparation and test procedures A wooden form was designed to allow for casting the beams. After placing the reinforcing steel in the wooden form a piece of foam 5 mm thick, with an aluminum plate of 0.5 mm thickness xed at one of its ends, was placed at mid span in order to create a notch with a sharp tip. At the age of 28 days, specimens were prepared for testing. Benzene was used to dissolve the foam and the aluminum plate was pulled out to clear the notch. The side faces of each beam were painted with white color paint to facilitate the detection of crack propagation during the test. A grid of 10 mm spacing is drawn on both sides for crack detection. The LVDTs on both sides of the specimen are set to measure the deection. The beams are further prepared for the testing by attaching electrical strain gauges to the reinforcing steel and to the top concrete surface at mid span. The general set up for the experiment is shown in Fig. 2. The load cell,

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Fig. 3. Load versus deection for beams with different B/b, ts / h = 0.2 and = 0.6%.

Fig. 5. Load vs. concrete strain for beams with different B/b ratio, ts / h = 0.2 and = 0.6%.

Fig. 4. Load vs. steel strain at mid span for beams with different B/b ratio, ts / h = 0.2 and = 0.6%.

Fig. 6. Load vs. deection for beams with different B/b, ts / h = 0.15 and = 0.48%.

LVDTs, and strain gauges are connected to the data logger for continuous data monitoring and recording during testing. 2.2. Test results and discussion Figs. 311 show the results of the experimental tests. It is clear that increasing the ratio of B/b, ts / h, or the reinforcement ratio increases both stiffness and maximum capacity. In addition to that, the initial slope of the load steel strain curve increases when the cross section of the beam is changed from rectangular to T-section as well as when the value of B/b increases. Also, increasing the ratio of B/b increases the maximum capacity of the cross section while increasing the ratio of ts / h results in minor increase in the maximum capacity of the cross section. 3. Crack propagation at mid span The crack propagation at mid span was monitored as the load increased. Figs. 1215 show the ratio of crack length (a) to the total height (h) versus load for sample beams. Several remarks can be made as follows: (1) Monitoring both sides of the specimen showed that the crack did not propagate on both sides at the same time. This indicates that several internal micro cracks take place before
Fig. 7. Load vs. steel strain at mid span for beams with different B/b ratio, ts / h = 0.15 and = 0.48%.

a crack appears on both sides and even before the rst crack extension appears. (2) When the reinforcing steel starts yielding the crack widens. (3) Although there was a notch at mid span to ensure that it is the weakest section, the rst crack propagated from this section then it stops where another crack at the zone of maximum bending moment but not mid section occurs.

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Fig. 8. Load vs. concrete strain for beams with different B/b ratio, ts / h = 0.15 and = 0.48%.

Fig. 11. Load vs. conc. strain for different ts / h with B/b = 1.5 and = 0.73%.

Fig. 9. Load vs. deection for beams with different ts / h, B/b = 1.5 and = 0.73%. Fig. 12. B1 with rectangular section and = 0.6%.

Fig. 10. Load vs. steel strain for different ts / h with B/b = 1.5 and = 0.73%.

This crack is a bending crack yet it is not at the weakest section and not at the extension of the mid span crack. The crack propagates then suddenly stops to allow the main crack to continue its propagation. (4) It was clear that the ange arrested crack propagation for all T-shaped beams. In addition, by comparing the recorded load when the crack was at the bottom of the ange and the load at failure, it was noticed that the latter slightly exceeded the former by a maximum of 8% of the maximum load.

Fig. 13. B3 with T-section, B/b = 1.5, ts / h = 0.2 and = 0.6%.

4. Maximum load versus B/b and ts / h Maximum load attained experimentally was compared for samples having different B/b ratio, same ratio of ts / h and same reinforcement ratio. Figs. 16 and 17 show that for the same ts / h and ratio, the maximum crack load increases as the ratio of B/b increases and for the same ratio of B/b, the maximum load increases as the ratio of ts / h and increases.

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Fig. 14. B8 with T-section, B/b = 2.5, ts / h = 0.15 and = 0.48%.

Fig. 17. Maximum load versus ange thickness to beam depth; ts / h.

Fig. 15. B12 with T-section, B/b = 1.5, ts / h = 0.15 and = 0.73%. Fig. 18. Representation of reinforced concrete cracked T-section.

Fig. 16. Load versus ange to web ratio; B/b at maximum crack.

5. Fracture mechanics approach The model proposed by Baluch et al. [8] is mainly concerned with determining the moment capacity of reinforced concrete beams with rectangular sections. This model is extended here to suit reinforced concrete beams having T-sections. A cracked section of a reinforced concrete beam is shown in Fig. 18. The section is subjected to an external moment M. The effect of the steel reinforcement is simulated by the force Fs acting at the

steel reinforcement location. This case can be modeled as the superposition of two cases; a case where the section is subjected to pure bending, and a case where the section is subjected to a normal force at the steel location. Based on LEFM, the stress intensity factors of a beam subjected to M and Fs can be obtained as function of the geometric factors Ym and Ya . The geometric functions; Ym and Ya , are available [17] only for beams with rectangular section. Thus there are two options to apply these functions for beams with T-sections: Either to consider the section as a rectangular one in calculating the fracture moment or to consider the Tee shaped section with its area and inertia and ignore the inconsistency with the geometric functions. The rst approach is considered here. The criterion for crack propagation is to equate the applied moment to the fracture moment (M = M f ), at which the stress intensity factor reaches the critical stress intensity factor (K I = K Ic ). The fracture moment can be expressed as: Mf = Fs h K 1c h 3/2 b + Y M (a/ h) Y M (a/ h) Y F (a/ h) + Y M (a/ h) 1 ds 2 h . (1)

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Fig. 19. Strain and stress distributions in a T shaped section.

The compression force in concrete is divided into two parts; a part in which the width of the cross section is the width of the ange and another part in which the width of the cross section is the width of the web. The nonlinear stress/strain curve proposed by Hognestad [18] is adopted for concrete. The tensile behavior of concrete is divided into two parts; a linear elastic stress strain relationship up to the peak stress fr where fr is the modulus of rupture of concrete and a linear softening stress separation for the post peak response. In this program, the modulus of rupture of concrete is evaluated according to the ACI [19] as: fr = 0.62 f c = 2.77 N/mm2 , (2)

where f c is the cylinder compressive strength in N/mm2 . Summing up the moments about the centroid of the concrete compressive stress block, Fig. 19, the equilibrium moment Meq can be expressed as: Meq = T1 2 2 (d1 x l p ) + x1 + T2 d1 x l p + x1 3 3 (3)

+ Fs [d x + x1 ].

The fracture behavior of reinforced concrete beams can be predicted by equating the equations for Meq and M f . A computer program was developed based on the procedure shown in Fig. 20. The use of the fracture mechanics approach presented above to determine the moment capacity of a reinforced concrete beam can be easily modied to design the reinforcing steel required for a given reinforced beam with a pre-specied crack depth a. This is explained in detail and experimentally veried for beams with rectangular section in Refs. [8,9,14]. 6. Finite element analysis The nite element package used in this research is based upon the discrete crack approach. The path of the crack is known in advance consequently the nite element mesh is arranged in such a way that the crack follows along the predened location. The following two dimensional elements are used in the analysis: (1) Four noded isoparametric elements with linear elastic behavior to simulate concrete. (2) Non-linear rod elements to model the crack. (3) Non-linear truss elements to model the steel reinforcement.

Two noded rod elements with two degrees of freedom per node were used to represent mode I cracks in reinforced concrete beams subjected to symmetrical loading. Rod elements were placed horizontally across the expected crack. The actual stress/crack width relationship can be converted to a stress strain relationship, representing the behavior of the rod where the area under the curve is known as the fracture energy G f . The value adopted here is calculated according to Euro code recommendations where G f = 0.057 N/mm. There are different shapes and types of the stress strain curve for the rod. The model used here is the linear model where the stress strain relation is linear till reaching maximum tensile strength with the stress dropping to zero afterwards. So, knowing the relative displacement between the two ends of the rod element, with G f = 0.057 N/mm, one can determine if the crack will propagate at the rod element location or not by comparing the stress in the rod to the tensile strength of concrete. Two values for the tensile strength of concrete are considered. The rst value is taken equal to the modulus of rupture of concrete under uniaxial tension according to the ACI [19] as expressed by Eq. (2). The second value is taken equal to the direct tension strength of concrete. According to the ACI [19] this strength is given by: f t = 0.33 fc (4)

where f t f c is the cylinder compressive strength (N/mm2 ). For f cu = 25 N/mm2 , f c = 20 N/mm2 , f t = 1.5 N/mm2 . It is well known that the design Codes provide the two values; modulus of rupture Eq. (2) and direct strength Eq. (4), for evaluation of the tensile strength of concrete. As is obvious, the two values differ substantially. In exural analysis using nite elements, it is common that the tensile strength of concrete is characterized by either one as both represent tension states of stress at the crack tip (although the former is due to bending and the later is due to direct tension) which symbolizes Mode I fracture. The purpose of employing both values in this investigation is to show the impact of that difference on the crack propagation up till failure is reached. The steel element is represented by a two node truss element which can only resist axial loads. Each node has only two degrees of freedom. The reinforcing bar is connected to the concrete at the nodal point. Accordingly, a prefect bond is assumed. This is found more appropriate for the FEM to be compatible with the fracture mechanics model employed,

is the direct tension strength of concrete (N/mm2 ) and

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Fig. 20. Algorithm used in the fracture mechanics approach [8].

which ignores bond-slip. The steel strain curve for steel is taken as linear elastic, perfectly plastic. The computer package used is based upon a displacement control analysis where a Newton/Raphson procedure is used for solving the stiffness equations. The nite element analysis was performed and the load vs. crack ratio was obtained for the 12 concrete beams. The results obtained from experimental work, the fracture mechanics approach and nite elements are compared in Figs. 2132. Load was plotted versus the ratio of the crack length to beam height (a/ h). It should be noted here that the crack initiation from the notch tip was captured in the nite element and fracture mechanics analyses while it was not that easy to capture in experiments due to crack bridging and due to micro cracks developing inside the thickness of the specimen, resulting in

Fig. 21. B1, rectangular section with = 0.6%.

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Fig. 22. B2, T-section with B/b = 2, ts / h = 0.2 and = 0.6%.

Fig. 25. B5, rectangular section with = 0.48%.

Fig. 23. B3, T-section with B/b = 1.5, ts / h = 0.2 and = 0.6%.

Fig. 26. B6, T-section with B/b = 1.5, ts / h = 0.15 and = 0.48%.

Fig. 24. B4, T-section with B/b = 2.5, ts / h = 0.2 and = 0.6%.

Fig. 27. B7, T-section with B/b = 2, ts / h = 0.15 and = 0.48%.

some fracture energy dissipating without appearing on the surface of the specimen. Crack propagation results obtained by the fracture mechanics approach are normalized by amax where amax is the crack length recorded when the load becomes constant. These normalized results shown in Figs. 33 and 34 prove that the recorded behavior of the beams is consistent with the variation in B/b, ts / h, and . It could be seen that the fracture mechanics approach gives a crack length at a certain load value less than the actual

(experimental) value. Also, it gives a load at a certain crack length less than the actual (experimental) value. In addition to this, it underestimates the maximum capacity of the beam in comparison with the actual capacity. Thus, the fracture mechanics approach gives conservative results. Most of the beams experienced a yield plateau where the crack continues to propagate without considerable increase in load. This behavior did not occur in experiments. It should be mentioned here that the geometry functions Ym and Y f used in this analysis were assumed valid for the whole range of a/ h in spite of the fact that it is reported to be valid only for a/ h 0.6 [17].

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Fig. 28. T-section with B/b = 2.5, ts / h = 0.15 and = 0.48%.

Fig. 31. B11, T-section with B/b = 1.5, ts / h = 0.2 and = 0.73%.

Fig. 32. B12, T-section with B/b = 1.5, ts / h = 0.15 and = 0.73%. Fig. 29. B9, rectangular section and = 0.73%.

Fig. 30. B10, T-section with B/b = 1.5, ts / h = 0.25 and = 0.73%.

Fig. 33. Load vs. normalized crack depth for beams B1, B2, B3 and B4 with different B/b, ts / h = 0.2 and reinforcement ratio = 0.6%.

As shown in Figs. 2132, the nite element analysis resulted in two curves for each beam. One for a modulus of rupture equal to the concrete tensile strength f t = 1.5 N/mm2 and another for a concrete modulus of rupture fr = 2.77 N/mm2 . The two curves differ only at early loading stages, but later they coincide, predicting the same maximum capacities. However, both curves underestimate the beams maximum load capacity. The curve for the modulus of rupture = 2.77 N/mm2 gives the crack length at certain load values less than the actual

(experimental) values. In other words, it predicts the load which leads to a certain crack length higher than the actual (experimental) value, thus, leading to a conservative estimate. The curve having a modulus of rupture = 2.77 N/mm2 is considered conservative up to a/ h = 0.5. Afterwards, it may or may not give a conservative estimate. Thus, the curve having concrete tensile strength = 2.77 N/mm2 could act as a guide estimate at early loading of the beam.

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modulus of rupture and the direct strength, this difference (being in values not in trend) is observed only at early stages of loading. The two estimates predict the same failure load. (6) Meanwhile, when the tensile strength estimated by the modulus of rupture formula is employed in nite element analysis, it predicts a more conservative crack propagation history until the crack extension reaches 0.5 of the beams height. References
[1] Naus DJ, Lott JL. Fracture toughness of portland cement concrete. ACI 1969;66:4819. [2] Walsh PF. Fracture of plain concrete. Indian Concrete Journal 1972; 46970. [3] Walsh PF. Crack initiation in plain concrete. Magazine of Concrete Research 1976;28:3741. [4] Carpentari A. Application of fracture mechanics to concrete structures. ASCE Structural division 1982;108:83348. [5] Yehia NAB. On the size effect on behavior and fracture of concrete beams. Journal of Engineering and Applied Science 2001;48(6):116582. [6] Yehia NAB. Determination of fracture parameters of concrete. In: Proceedings of the ninth international colloquium on structural and geotechnical engineering. 2001. [7] Yehia NAB. Concrete fracture in three and four point testing; Part2: Size effect and modied work of fracture. Journal of Engineering and Applied Science 2002;49(6):112338. [8] Baluch MH, Azad AK, Ashmawi W. Fracture mechanics application to reinforced concrete members in exure. In: Carpentari A, editor. Application of fracture mechanics to reinforced concrete. London: Elsevier Applied Science; 1992. p. 41336. [9] Yehia NAB, El-Tahan WW, Sorour MM. Fracture of reinforced concrete beams under displacement controlled testing. In: The 7th international conference on concrete technology in developing countries. 2004. [10] Bosco C, Carpentari A, Debernardi PG. Minimum reinforcement in high strength concrete. Journal of Structural Engineering ASCE 1990;116: 42737. [11] Yehia NAB. Size effect on fracture of reinforced concrete beams: Experimental investigation. In: Proceedings of the ninth arab structural engineering conference. 2003. [12] Hillerborg A. Fracture mechanics concepts applied to moment capacity and rotational capacity of reinforced concrete beams. Engineering Fracture Mechanics 1990;35(1/2/3):23340. [13] Carpinteri A. A fracture model for reinforced concrete collapse. In: Proc. of IABSE colloquium on advanced mechanics of reinforced concrete. 1981. p. 1730. [14] Ashmawi WM, Baluch MH, Azad AK. In: Grestle W, Bazant ZP, editors. Crack control design of reinforced concrete beams in exure. ACI, SP134, 1991. p. 13345. [15] Gerstle WH, Dey PP, Prasad NNV, Rahulkumar P, Xie M. Crack growth in exural membersA fracture mechanics approach. ACI Structural Journal 1992;89(6):61725. [16] Yehia NAB. Size effect on fracture mechanics of medium strength concrete beams. In: First middle east international conference on advances in civil, mechanical and material engineering. 2005. [17] Tada H, Paris PC, Irwin GR. The stress analysis of cracks handbook. Hellertown (PA, USA): Del Research Corporation; 1973. [18] Hognestad E. A study of combined bending and axial load in reinforced concrete members. In: Bulletin 399. Urbana, I11: University of Illinois Engineering Experiment Station; 1951. p. 128. [19] ACI committee. Building code requirements for reinforced concrete (ACI 2002) and commentary. American Concrete Institute; 2002.

Fig. 34. Load vs. normalized crack depth for beams B5, B6, B7 and B8 with different B/b, ts / h = 0.15 and reinforcement ratio = 0.48%.

7. Conclusions The research reported above can lead to the following conclusions: (1) It is evident that the physical presence of the ange in compression enhances the fracture behavior of the concrete section in terms of the load attained at maximum crack extension and failure load. This enhancement becomes more pronounced as the physical dimensions of the ange increase. However, the increase in width of the ange is more effective than the increase in its thickness. As expected, the increase in tension reinforcement increases the maximum capacity as well as the load attained at maximum crack extension. (2) As known, fracture toughness of ber reinforced composites such as reinforced concrete increases as the crack length increases due to crack bridging, therefore: The mid pre-notched section is always the weakest section, yet other cracks occur at other sections during loading. These cracks are also bending cracks occurring at the maximum tensile zone. They cause some dissipation of the fracture energy. As the steel reaches the yield plateau, the crack usually does not continue propagating. Instead the width of the crack increases, especially at the steel level. (3) The rate of the crack propagation decreases as it reaches the ange for T-shaped beams. (4) Both the modied fracture approach and nite elements underestimate the capacity of the beams. They predict a maximum crack length greater than experiments show. Moreover, both approaches predict a plateau where the load keeps constant and the crack keeps propagating which again differs from experiments. This observation applies well to both rectangular and anged sections. (5) Although there is a difference in crack propagation predictions in nite element analyses based on each of the two estimates of the tensile strength of concrete, the