Title:
Analysis of Fracture Parameters of Epoxy-Polymer Concrete
Author(s):
C. Vipulanandan and N. Dharmarajan
Publication:
Materials Journal
Volume:
86
Issue:
4
Appears on pages(s):
383-393
Keywords:
cracking (fracturing); energy; epoxy resins; polymer concrete; finite element method; flexural strength; fracture properties; sampling; stresses; temperature; Materials Research
DOI:
10.14359/2161
Date:
7/1/1989
Abstract:
Fracture behavior of epoxy-polymer concrete was investigated at various temperatures and resin contents using single-edge notched beams loaded in three- and four-point bending. The temperature varied between 22 and 120 C and the polymer content between 10 and 18 percent of the total weight of the polymer concrete. The results were analyzed using various experimental and numerical techniques to examine the applicability of fracture parameters such as critical stress intensity factor KIC, critical J-integral JIC, and fracture energy Gfc to characterize the fracture behavior of epoxy polymer and polymer concrete. Several methods including the crack mouth opening displacement method and the finite element method are used in determining the fracture parameters. The KIC for both epoxy polymer and polymer concrete reduces with increase in temperature, while JIC goes through a maximum within the range of temperature considered in this study. An Arrehenius form of relationship was used to characterize the fracture behavior of epoxy polymer with temperature. All the fracture parameters of polymer concrete increase with increase in polymer content. The fracture parameter ratios of polymer concrete-to-polymer are independent of the temperature. Numerical tests based on random sampling support the measured fracture parameters of epoxy polymer concrete.