A 2-PHASE MODEL FOR PREDICTING THE COMPRESSIVE STRENGTH OF CONCRETE

In order to study the strength of concrete, cement-based composite mat erial specimens with different volume fractions (10%, 20%, and 30%) of aggregate and two water/(cement+silicafume) ratios (w/b=0.28 and 0.6) were cast and tested. Theoretical analysis was investigated in this s tudy by employing the theory of micromechanics. A new approach is prop osed to obtain the average stress fields of inhomogeneities and matrix by use of the equivalent inclusion method and the concept of Mori-Tan aka theory. The uniaxial compressive strength of cement-based composit e materials can be considered as a function of component properties of composite, and the volume fraction of aggregate. The compressive stre ngth of concrete is controlled by the weakest component. The compariso n is also made between theoretical results and the experimental data. Copyright (C) 1996 Elsevier Science Ltd