• Computers and Concrete
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• v.31 no.1
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• pp.71-84
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• 2023

In this paper, the effects of the thickness of cubic samples on the tensile strength of concrete blocks were studied using experimental tests in the laboratory and numerical simulation by the particle flow code in three dimensions (PFC3D). Firstly, the physical concrete blocks with dimensions of 150 mm×190 mm (width×height) were prepared. Then, three specimens for each of seven different samples with various thicknesses were built in the laboratory. Simultaneously with the experimental tests, their numerical simulations were performed with PFC3D models. The widths, heights, and thicknesses of the numerical models were the same as those of the experimental samples. These samples were tested with a new tensile testing apparatus. The loading rate was kept at 1 kg/sec during the testing operation. Based on these analyses, it is concluded that when the thickness was less than 5 cm, the tensile strength decreased by increasing the sample thickness. On the other hand, the tensile strength was nearly constant when the sample thickness was raised to more than 5 cm (which can be regarded as a threshold limit for the specimens' thickness). The numerical outputs were similar to the experimental results, demonstrating the validity of the present analyses.

• Smart Structures and Systems
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• v.26 no.5
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• pp.605-617
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• 2020

In this study, the experimental tests for the direct tensile strength measurement of Ultra-High Performance Concrete (UHPC) were numerically modeled by using the discrete element method (circle type element) and Finite Element Method (FEM). The experimental tests used for the laboratory tensile strength measurement is the Compressive-to-Tensile Load Conversion (CTLC) device. In this paper, the failure process including the cracks initiation, propagation and coalescence studied and then the direct tensile strength of the UHPC specimens measured by the novel apparatus i.e., CTLC device. For this purpose, the UHPC member (each containing a central hole) prepared, and situated in the CTLC device which in turn placed in the universal testing machine. The direct tensile strength of the member is measured due to the direct tensile stress which is applied to this specimen by the CTLC device. This novel device transferring the applied compressive load to that of the tensile during the testing process. The UHPC beam specimen of size 150 × 60 × 190 mm and internal hole of 75 × 60 mm was used in this study. The rate of the applied compressive load to CTLC device through the universal testing machine was 0.02 MPa/s. The direct tensile strength of UHPC was found using a new formula based on the present analyses. The numerical simulation given in this study gives the tensile strength and failure behavior of the UHPC very close to those obtained experimentally by the CTLC device implemented in the universal testing machine. The percent variation between experimental results and numerical results was found as nearly 2%. PFC2D simulations of the direct tensile strength measuring specimen and ABAQUS simulation of the tested CTLC specimens both demonstrate the validity and capability of the proposed testing procedure for the direct tensile strength measurement of UHPC specimens.

• KSCE Journal of Civil and Environmental Engineering Research
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• v.8 no.1
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• pp.33-40
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• 1988

The new technique has been used to determine the soil-reinforcement interaction. The testing apparatus is essentially a triaxial cell fitted with the capability to house a hollow cylinderical sample. A hollow cylinderical sand specimen with a concentrical layer of reinfarcing material sandwitched in the middle is used in this investigation. The reinforcement is fastened at the base. The hollow specimen can be viewed as a "unit sheet" of a soil-reinforcement composite system of infinite horizontal extent. Axial load as well as inner and outer chamber pressures can be applied to perform a test. The specimen is first subjected to an isotropic stress state corresponding to the overburden pressure. Next, an extension test by reducing the axial load is carried out. The specimen is "loaded" to failure by either the breakage of reinforcing material (tensile failure) or slippage which takes place at the soil-reinforcement interface (i.e. the overcoming of the bonding capacity). Since the reinforcement is fastened at its lower end to the base, any tendency of relative movement between the reinforcement and the sand during an extension test can induce tensile force in the reinforcement thus forming a "reversed pull-out" test condition. Preliminary test results have demonstrated positively of the new approach to test the soil-reinforcement interaction. Reinforcing elements of different extensibility were used to study the deformbility of reinforced soil. Furthermore, both the breakage and the pull-out modes of failure were observed.