Energy-microcrack growth measurments for mortar cylinders in compression

摘要

A high resolution three-dimensional scanning technique called x-ray microtomography was applied to measure internal damage and crack growth in small mortar cylinders loaded in compression. Tomographic scans were made at different load increments in the same specimen. Three-dimensional image analysis was used to measure internal crack growth during each load increment. Load-deformation curves were used to measure the work of the external load on the specimen. Non-recoverable work of load was related to measured crack growth to estimate work of fracture in three dimensions. Initial results indicate a roughly linear relationship between work of load and internal crack area.