Evaluation of energy dissipation in flexure for two stage concrete

Abstract

Concrete is a multiphase material and the energy dissipation in concrete is considered as the index to measure the capability of its ingredients to resist cyclic loading during its service life. This paper presents the results from an investigation conducted on the behaviour of two stage concrete (TSC) subjected to constant and gradual cyclic loading. A total of 128 samples were cast and tested at 28 days of normal curing, using mixes having water/cement ratio (w/c) of 0.55, 0.65, 0.75 and 0.80 and sand/cement ratio (s/c) of 1, 1.25, 1.5 and 2.0. Empirical approach namely ratio of energy dissipation (Rn) has been used to assess the results. In general, the results are comparable either in constant or gradual cyclic loading system regardless of the variation in w/c and s/c. It seems, however, that the rate of energy dissipation was slightly higher in the samples subjected to gradual cyclic loading.