Specimen Size Effects and Dynamic Fracture Toughness of Cement-Based Foams

This paper presents the effect of geometrically similar specimen size on the mechanical properties of cement-based foams. The experimental study also investigates fracture-mechanical parameters under flexural impact. A preformed foam was employed to prepare the specimens using a synthetic foaming agent that was known to achieve a stable bubble structure. The cement-based foams were prepared to a cast density of 475  kg/m3 and were examined under compression and flexure. Along with a plain unreinforced mix, polypropylene fiber at a volumetric fraction of 0.2% was used to study the effect of microfiber reinforcement. The tested specimens scaled between one to four times in dimension. Parameters associated with their dynamic-fracture mechanics were evaluated under flexure with the help of a drop-weight impact tester equipped with a high speed imaging system. Bažant’s size effect model and the multifractal scaling model were employed to describe the size effect. It was seen that when subjected to compression, the fiber-reinforced specimens demonstrate a noticeable size effect, whereas, under quasi-static flexure, the more significant size effect was observed for the plain specimens. As expected, fiber reinforcement improved the ModeI fracture toughness at all sizes.

• Record URL:
  • https://doi.org/10.1061/(ASCE)MT.1943-5533.0000784
• Availability:
  • Find a library where document is available. Order URL: http://worldcat.org/issn/08991561
• Supplemental Notes:
  • Copyright © 2014 American Society of Civil Engineers.
• Authors:
  • Mamun, Muhammad
  • Bindiganavile, Vivek
• Publication Date: 2014-1

Language

• English

Media Info

• Media Type: Web
• Features: References;
• Pagination: pp 143-151
• Serial:
  • Journal of Materials in Civil Engineering
  • Volume: 26
  • Issue Number: 1
  • Publisher: American Society of Civil Engineers
  • ISSN: 0899-1561
  • EISSN: 1943-5533
  • Serial URL: http://ascelibrary.org/journal/jmcee7

Subject/Index Terms

• TRT Terms: Cement; Cracking; Foams; Fracture properties; Mechanical properties; Size; Specimens; Toughness
• Subject Areas: Highways; Materials; I35: Miscellaneous Materials;

Filing Info

• Accession Number: 01501713
• Record Type: Publication
• Files: TRIS, ASCE
• Created Date: Dec 23 2013 7:52AM