Fracture mechanics parameters of autoclaved aerated concrete

The influence of the expanding direction of Autoclaved Aerated Concrete (AA C) on the nonlinear fracture mechanics parameters is determined on three di fferent types of AAC. The nonlinear fictitious crack model introduced by Hi llerborg et al. [1] is used. Based on the RILEM recommendation AAC 13.1 [2] , wedge-splitting tests have been carried out on three different types of A AC. For each AAC type, specimens were prepared so that the ligament area wa s parallel or vertical to the expanding direction. It was found that the sp ecific fracture energy G(f) and the tensile strength f(t) differ in the two directions. Ail three concrete types show less brittle behaviour when the ligament area is parallel to the expanding direction. (C) 1999 Elsevier Sci ence Ltd. All rights reserved.