Abstract
This study discusses the issues related to the accuracy of deflection measurement and unstable energy in the testing of FRC. Some deflection methods may include large extraneous deformations. A faulty load-deflection curve will be obtained if an unstable deflection measuring system is used, and inaccurate toughness evaluation can result from this faulty curve. Some load-deflection curve of FRC may be attributed to unstable region of the load-deflection curve. If the unstable region is not correctly evaluated toughness indices from the curve would inappropriately represent true indices. In this paper, the discussion will focus on the effects of the deflection measuring system both on the measurement of the load-deflection response of FRC and the evaluation of FRC toughness and the effects of the unstable region and the management method of unstable region on toughness evaluation of FRC. It is observed that ASTM toughness indices which is based on measured deflection at first cracking is influenced significantly by extraneous deformation of deflection measurement. Extraneous deformation in deflection measurement, however result in negligible errors in toughness evaluation if JSCE and JCI definitions are used.