Title: Shape and size effects of the specimens on the compressive strength of high-strength concrete

Author(s): Rodríguez del Viso, J. ; Ruiz Carmona, J.; Ruiz López, G.

Publication: ACHE

Volume: 59

Issue: 248

Appears on pages(s): 77 - 86

Keywords: High strength concrete, compressive strength, shape, size.

DOI:

Date: 1/3/2008

Abstract:
In this paper we investigate the mechanical behavior of high strength concrete in compression. We are particularly interested in the influence of the shape and the size of the specimens on the compressive strength of the material. We use cylinders and cubes of different sizes. The tests are performed in strain control at one strain rate, 10-6 s-1. This value has been constant troughout the experimental program. Our results show that the post-peak behavior of the cubes is milder than that of the cylinders, which leads to a strong energy consumption after the peak for the cubes. This is consistent with the observation of the crack pattern: the extent of micro-cracking throughout the specimen is denser in the cubes than in the cylinders. Finally, we investigate a relation between compressive strength obtained from both types of specimens and for several sizes.