Loading-Rate Effect on the Fracture Response of Natural Hydraulic and Aerial-Lime Mortars

Abstract

This paper presents the influence of the loading velocity on the fracture response of mortars with both natural hydraulic and aerial limes under three different rates (loading-point displacement rates, 5.0×10−4, 5.0×10−1, and 1.6×101 mm/s). According to the results, the fracture energy and the peak load are sensitive to the loading rate. The maximum dynamic increase factors (DIF), of the peak load are 1.4 and 1.6 for the natural hydraulic and aerial lime mortars, respectively, while it is 1.9 for the fracture energy for both mortars. Moreover, the increase in the peak load and fracture energy of the natural hydraulic lime mortar is basically the result of the viscous effect of free water in the mortar. However, for the aerial lime mortar, the rate effect is chiefly related to the crack path and propagation velocity.