Largest Experimental Investigation on Size Effect of Concrete Notched Beams

Abstract

This work presents an experimental study performed to investigate the effect of the size of the specimen on the fracture response of geometrically similar concrete notched beams. To the best of the authors’ knowledge, this study is the largest of its kind and includes beams of five different sizes. Twenty-eight beams were tested using a three-point bending (TPB) test setup designed according to draft guidelines. Five depths D, namely, 75, 150, 250, 500, and 1,000 mm, were considered, and the width b was kept constant and equal to 150 mm for all specimens. A new setup is proposed for large specimens. Load responses, peak loads, failure modes, fracture energy, and size-effect analysis are presented and discussed.