• Computers and Concrete
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• v.9 no.1
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• pp.1-19
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• 2012

The size-effect study of various fracture parameters obtained from two parameter fracture model, effective crack model, double-K fracture model and double-G fracture model is presented in the paper. Fictitious crack model (FCM) for three-point bend test geometry for cracked concrete beam of laboratory size range 100-400 mm is developed and the different fracture parameters from size effect model, effective crack model, double-K fracture model and double-G fracture model are evaluated using the input data obtained from FCM. In addition, the fracture parameters of two parameter fracture model are obtained using the mathematical coefficients available in literature. From the study it is concluded that the fracture parameters obtained from various nonlinear fracture models including the double-K and double-G fracture models are influenced by the specimen size. These fracture parameters maintain some definite interrelationship depending upon the specimen size and relative size of initial notch length.

• Geomechanics and Engineering
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• v.32 no.3
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• pp.321-333
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• 2023

Rock masses often contain natural fractures of varying sizes, and the size of the natural fractures may affect the propagation of hydraulic fractures. We conduct a series of triaxial hydraulic fracturing tests to investigate the effect of the pre-existing fracture size a on hydraulic fracture propagation. Experimental results show that the pre-existing fracture size impacts hydraulic fracture propagation. As the pre-existing fracture size increases, the hydraulic fracture propagates towards the pre-existing fracture tips, evidenced by the decreased distance between the final hydraulic fracture and the pre-existing fracture tips. Furthermore, the attracting effect of pre-existing fracture tips increases when the distance between the wellbore and the pre-existing fracture is short (L/D=2 or 4 in this study). With increased distance between the wellbore and the pre-existing fracture (L/D=6 in this study), the hydraulic fracture propagates to the middle of the pre-existing fracture rather than the tips, as the attracting effect of the pre-existing fracture diminishes.

• Structural Engineering and Mechanics
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• v.54 no.6
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• pp.1201-1216
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• 2015

This paper presents the details of size independent fracture energy and bi-linear tension softening relation for nano modified high strength concrete. Nano silica in powder form has been used as partial replacement of cement by 2 wt%. Two popular methods, namely, simplified boundary effect method of Karihaloo et al. (2003) and RILEM (1985) fracture energy with P-${\delta}$ tail correction have been employed for estimation of size independent fracture energy for nano modified high strength concrete (compressive strength ranges from 55 MPa to 72 MPa). It is found that both the methods gave nearly same values, which is an additional evidence that either of them can be employed for determination of size independent fracture energy. Bi-linear tension softening relation corresponding to their size independent fracture energy has been constructed in an inverse manner based on the concept of non-linear hinge from the load-crack mouth opening plots of notched three-point bend beams.

• Proceedings of the KSME Conference
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• 2003.11a
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• pp.1240-1245
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• 2003

Reduced activation ferritic steel (JLF-1) is considered as a promising candidate material for blanket or first-wall structure of D-T fusion reactors. The fracture tests of fracture resistance curve (J-R curve) and $J_{IC}$ are desirable to investigate the exact fracture toughness of JLF-1 steel, since it has a high ductility. The fracture toughness of JLF-1 steel is affected by the configuration of test specimen such side groove, specimen thickness or specimen size. In this study, the fracture toughness tests were performed with various size(plane size and thickness) and various side groove of specimens. The test results showed the standard specimen with the side groove of 40 % represented a valid fracture toughness. The fracture resistance curve increased with increasing plane size and decreased with increasing thickness. However, the fracture resistance curve of half size specimen was similar to that of the standard specimen.

• Advances in concrete construction
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• v.5 no.6
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• pp.613-624
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• 2017

In this paper, an experimental investigation was carried out to study the effect of volume fraction of fiber and maximum aggregate size on mode-I fracture parameters of high strength concrete. Total of 108 beams were tested on loading frame with three point loading, the variables in the high strength concrete beams are aggregate size (20 mm, 16 mm and 10 mm) and volume fraction of fibers (0%, 0.5%, 1% and 1.5%). The fracture parameters like fracture energy, brittleness number and fracture process zone were analyzed by the size effect method (SEM). It was found that fracture energy (Gf) increases with increasing the Maximum aggregate size and also increasing the volume of fibers, brittleness number (${\beta}$) decreases and fracture process zone (CF) increases.

• The Journal of Engineering Geology
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• v.8 no.1
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• pp.1-12
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• 1998

The fracture size among geometric parameters of the fracture system is treated as one of the most important factors in the geotechnical and hydrogeological analysis. However, several uncertainties in data acquisition and analysis pmcess about the fracture size are not clear yet. This study presents the current status on the estimation of the fracture size and verifies the estimating method using forward modeling approach. The factors considered are the variation of fracture intersection probabilities with different assumptions on the orientation of sampling planes and fracture size by using a simulated tleee dimensional fracture network model. If it is possible to analyze precisely the fracture intersection probabilities and the characteristics of probabilistic distnbution fiom cavern walls, outcrops or boreholes,the actual fracture size developed in rock rnass can be estimated confidently.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Manufacturing Technology Engineers
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• v.9 no.6
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• pp.170-177
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• 2000

Dense $Al_2$O$_3$-30%TiC and Si$_3$N$_4$ ceramic tool materials with various grain size were produced by sintering-HIP treatment and by gas-pressure sintering. The fracture toughness was measured by indentation fracture and indentation strength method for both ceramics with various grain size. The effect of the grain size on the fracture toughness was evaluated, and the correlation between fracture toughness and mechanical properties such as hardness, Young\`s modulus and flexural strength of these ceramic were also investigated. The highest fracture toughness of around 6.7 MPa.m(sup)1/2 was obtained in Si$_3$N$_4$ ceramics with grain size of 1.58${\mu}{\textrm}{m}$. With a larger grain size of $Al_2$O$_3$-30%TiC and Si$_3$N$_4$ ceramics, the fracture toughness was generally increased. The increased fracture toughness of these ceramic also improved the flexural strength although the hardness decreased considerably. Similar results were obtained in grain size and mechanical properties on both $Al_2$O$_3$-30%TiC and Si$_3$N$_4$ ceramic tool materials.

• KCI Concrete Journal
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• v.12 no.1
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• pp.57-68
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• 2000

The effect of structure size on the nominal strength of unidirectional fiber-polymer composites, failing by propagation of a kink band with fiber microbuckling, is analyzed experimentally and theoretically. Tests of novel geometrically similar carbon-PEEK specimens, with notches slanted so as to lead to a pure kink band (without shear or splitting cracks), are conducted. The specimens are rectangular strips of widths 15.875, 31.75. and 63.5 mm (0.625, 1.25 and 2.5 in and gage lengths 39.7, 79.375 and 158.75 mm (1.563, 3.125 and 6.25 in.). They reveal the existence of a strong (deterministic. non-statistical) size effect. The doubly logarithmic plot of the nominal strength (load divided by size and thickness) versus the characteristic size agrees with the approximate size effect law proposed for quasibrittle failures in 1983 by Bazant This law represents a gradual transition from a horizontal asymptote, representing the case of no size effect (characteristic of plasticity or strength criteria), to an asymptote of slope -1/2 (characteristic of linear elastic fracture mechanics. LEFM) . The size effect law for notched specimens permits easy identification of the fracture energy of the kink bandand the length of the fracture process zone at the front of the band solely from the measurements of maximum loads. Optimum fits of the test results by the size effect law are obtained, and the size effect law parameters are then used to identify the material fracture characteristics, Particularly the fracture energy and the effective length of the fracture process zone. The results suggest that composite size effect must be considered in strengthening existing concrete structural members such as bridge columns and beams using a composite retrofitting technique.

• Proceedings of the KSME Conference
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• 2004.04a
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• pp.13-18
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• 2004

The objective of this study is to investigate fracture toughness and fatigue crack propagation behavior in the Reduced Activation Ferritic Steel (RAFs) JLF-I. The fracture toughness tests were performed with various size(plane size and thickness) and various side groove of specimens. The fatigue crack propagation behavior of the JLF-I steel was investigated by the constant-amplitude loading test for the stress ratios R=O.I, 0.3 and 0.5 respectively. The effects of stress ratios and specimen size on the fatigue crack growth behaviors for JLF-I steel were discussed within the Paris law. The test results showed the standard CT specimen with the side groove of 40 % represented a valid fracture toughness. The fracture resistance curve increased with increasing plane size and decreased with increasing thickness. However, the fracture resistance curve of half size specimen was similar to that of the standard specimen. The fatigue crack propagation rate of a half size specimen was similar to that of a full size specimen at the stress ratios of 0.1, 0.3 and 0.5 respectively. The fatigue crack propagation behavior of this material were evaluated by using a half size specimen.

• Tunnel and Underground Space
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• v.25 no.5
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• pp.450-461
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• 2015

Extensive numerical experiments have been carried out to investigate effect of block size and fracture geometry on hydraulic characteristics of fractured rock masses based on connected pipe flow in DFN systems. Using two fracture sets, a total of 72 2-D fracture configurations were generated with different combinations of fracture size distribution and deterministic fracture density. The directional block conductivity including the theoretical block conductivity, principal conductivity tensor and average block conductivity for each generated fracture network system were calculated using the 2-D equivalent pipe network method. There exist significant effects of block size, orientation, density and size of fractures in a fractured rock mass on its hydraulic behavior. We have been further verified that it is more difficult to reach the REV size for the fluid flow network with decreasing intersection angle of two fracture sets, fracture plane density and fracture size distribution.