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Self-similarity in concrete fracture: size-scale effects and transition between different collapse mechanisms

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Abstract

Since the pioneering paper by Mandelbrot (Nature, 308:721–722, 1984) on the fractal character of the fracture surfaces in metals, the fractal aspects in the deformation and failure of materials have been investigated by several Researchers (see the reviews by Bouchaud (J Phys Condens Matter, 9:4319–4344) and Carpinteri et al. (Appl Mech Rev, 59:283–305, 2006)) and the attempts to apply fractals to fracture have grown exponentially. Aim of this paper is 2-fold: on one hand, it summarizes in a detailed yet concise fashion the major results of the fractal approach to the scaling of mechanical properties in solid mechanics; on the other hand, it reports some recent results concerning the size effect in the failure of reinforced concrete (RC) beams. These recent findings clearly show that the picture of the size-scale effects is much more complex when interaction among different collapse mechanisms occurs. The consequences on the size-scale effects are discussed in detail.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Structural Engineering and Geotechnics, Politecnico di Torino, Torino, Italy

    Alberto Carpinteri

  2. Department of Structural Engineering and Geotechnics, Politecnico di Torino, Torino, Italy

    Simone Puzzi

Authors
  1. Alberto Carpinteri
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  2. Simone Puzzi
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Correspondence to Simone Puzzi.

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Carpinteri, A., Puzzi, S. Self-similarity in concrete fracture: size-scale effects and transition between different collapse mechanisms. Int J Fract 154, 167–175 (2008). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10704-008-9278-3

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10704-008-9278-3

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