Title: Prediction of Fatigue Strength in Plain and Reinforced Concrete Beams

Author(s): Trisha Sain and J. M. Chandra Kishen

Publication: Structural Journal

Volume: 104

Issue: 5

Appears on pages(s): 621-628

Keywords: fatigue; fracture toughness; residual strength; stress

DOI: 10.14359/18864

Date: 9/1/2007

Abstract:
A fatigue crack propagation model for concrete is proposed based on the concepts of fracture mechanics. This model takes into account the loading history, frequency of applied load, and size effect parameters. Using this model, a method is described based on linear elastic fracture mechanics to assess the residual strength of cracked plain and reinforced concrete (RC) beams. This could be used to predict the residual strength (load carrying capacity) of cracked or damaged plain and reinforced concrete beams at a given level of damage. It has been seen that the fatigue crack propagation rate increases as the size of plain concrete beam increases indicating an increase in brittleness. In reinforced concrete (RC) beams, the fracture process becomes stable only when the beam is sufficiently reinforced.