Civil Engineering ETDs

Publication Date

Summer 7-15-2021

Abstract

This research aims to investigate the relationship between stress, damage, crack propagation, and permeability evolution in concrete. A novel experimental test method is presented that enables monitoring post-peak cracking behavior of concrete using the Brazilian tension test by slowing crack propagation while concurrently measuring permeability and monitoring damage propagation using acoustic emission techniques. The modified Brazilian test method utilizes spring supports in parallel to the test specimen to off-load the test specimen incrementally to slow down the post-peak crack propagation. A vacuum flow system is attached to the rear side of the concrete during loading to measure apparent air permeability through the specimen. The collected data is then used to calculate the permeability of the sample as cracks initiate, grow and coalesce. Acoustic emission sensors are used to observe damage occurrence and track damage propagation in the concrete during the test. Numerical modeling using the finite-discrete element method is also used as a comparison to experimental results and to understand the stress state during crack propagation. The observations presented enable correlating damage initiation and coalescence, crack propagation, and permeability evolution in concrete under tension stresses.

Keywords

Brazilian Indirect Tension Test, permeability, damage evolution, finite-discrete element method, concrete

Document Type

Thesis

Degree Name

Civil Engineering

Level of Degree

Masters

Department Name

Civil Engineering

First Committee Member (Chair)

Mahmoud Reda Taha

Second Committee Member

John Stormont

Third Committee Member

Esteban Rougier

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