This paper presents experimental and meso-scale modelling studies on the combined effects of strain-rate and specimen size on uniaxial compressive failure behaviour of concrete. A series of uniaxial compressive tests and meso-scale simulations were conducted on concrete with various specimen sizes under different strain-rates covering the strain-rate range of seismic load, with special focus on the quantitative contribution of end-friction to compressive strength and its corresponding strain-rate effect as well as size effect. Results indicate that the uniaxial compressive failure with end-friction follows an hourglass failure pattern while that without end-friction exhibits a columnar failure pattern. The end-friction effect can form different confined zone distributions for various sized specimens, which can cause the contribution of end-friction to compressive strength is size dependent as well as enhance the influence of specimen size on static and dynamic strength. The contribution proportion of end-friction to compressive strength is around 20∼25%. Moreover, larger-sized specimen performs a stronger strain-rate effect and the increasing strain-rate can weaken the influence of specimen size on the real compressive strength. The proposed real DIF empirical formula considering the size-dependency (covering the low strain-rate range) can well estimate the strain-rate effect for concrete with different sizes, which can provide a valuable reference for the numerical calculation of dynamic mechanical response and the safety design of concrete structures.
AitcinPMiaoBCookW D, et al. (1994)
Effects of size and curing on cylinder compressive strength of normal and high-strength concrete. Materials Journal91(4): 349–355.
2.
BaalbakiWBaalbakiMBenmokraneB, et al. (1992)
Influence of specimen size on compressive strength and elastic modulus of high-performance concrete. Cement, Concrete and Aggregates14(2): 113–117.
3.
BandeiraM V VLa TorreK RKosteskiL E, et al. (2022)
Influence of contact friction in compression tests of concrete samples. Construction and Building Materials317: 125811.
4.
BischoffP HPerryS HMindessS, et al. (1985)
Compressive strain rate effects of concrete. MRS Proceedings64
5.
CaoSHouXRongQ, et al. (2019)
Effect of specimen size on dynamic compressive properties of fiber-reinforced reactive powder concrete at high strain rates. Construction and Building Materials194: 71–82.
6.
CheYBanS LCuiJ, et al. (2011)
Effect of specimen shape and size on compressive strength of concrete. Advanced Materials Research163–167: 1375–1379.
7.
ChenPLiuJCuiX, et al. (2022)
Mesoscale analysis of concrete under axial compression. Construction and Building Materials337: 127580.
8.
ChenHXuBWangJ, et al. (2020)
Parametric analysis on compressive strain rate effect of concrete using mesoscale modeling approach. Construction and Building Materials246(C): 118375.
9.
ChristiansenPMartinsP A FBayN (2016)
Friction compensation in the upsetting of cylindrical test specimens. Experimental Mechanics56(7): 1271–1279.
10.
ChungSHanT (2013)
Correlation between low-order probability distribution functions and percolation of porous concrete. Magazine of Concrete Research65(7): 448–460.
11.
ChungSKimJStephanD, et al. (2019)
Overview of the use of micro-computed tomography (micro-CT) to investigate the relation between the material characteristics and properties of cement-based materials. Construction and Building Materials229: 116843.
12.
Del VisoJ RCarmonaJ RRuizG (2008)
Shape and size effects on the compressive strength of high-strength concrete. Cement and Concrete Research38(3): 386–395.
13.
DuXJinLMaG (2012)
A meso-scale analysis method for the simulation of nonlinear damage and failure behavior of reinforced concrete members. International Journal of Damage Mechanics22(6): 878–904.
ElfahalM MKrauthammerTOhnoT, et al. (2005)
Size effect for normal strength concrete cylinders subjected to axial impact. International Journal of Impact Engineering31(4): 461–481.
16.
FIB Model Code for Concrete Structures 2010 (2013). Lausanne, Switzerland: International Federation for Structural Concrete (FIB).
17.
FullerW BThompsonS E (1907)
The laws of proportioning concrete. Transactions of the American Society of Civil Engineers59(2): 67–143.
18.
GrondinFMatallahM (2014)
How to consider the interfacial transition zones in the finite element modelling of concrete?Cement and Concrete Research58: 67–75.
19.
GroteD LParkS WZhouM (2001)
Dynamic behavior of concrete at high strain rates and pressures: I. experimental characterization. International Journal of Impact Engineering25(9): 869–886.
20.
GuoZ (2013) Principle of Reinforced Concrete.
Beijing, China:
Tsinghua University Press.
21.
Gyurkó Z and Nemes R (2020) Specimen Size and Shape Effect on the Compressive Strength of Normal Strength Concrete. Periodica Polytechnica Civil Engineering 64(1): 276–286.
22.
HaoYHaoH (2013)
Numerical investigation of the dynamic compressive behaviour of rock materials at high strain rate. Rock Mechanics and Rock Engineering46(2): 373–388.
23.
HaoYHaoH (2014)
Influence of the concrete DIF model on the numerical predictions of RC wall responses to blast loadings. Engineering Structures73: 24–38.
24.
HaoYHaoHLiZ X (2013)
Influence of end friction confinement on impact tests of concrete material at high strain rate. International Journal of Impact Engineering60: 82–106.
25.
HuangZLiewJ Y RLiW (2017)
Evaluation of compressive behavior of ultra-lightweight cement composite after elevated temperature exposure. Construction and Building Materials148: 579–589.
26.
HuangY JYangZ JChenX W, et al. (2016)
Monte Carlo simulations of meso-scale dynamic compressive behavior of concrete based on X-ray computed tomography images. International Journal of Impact Engineering97: 102–115.
27.
IssaS AIslamMIssaM A, et al. (2000)
Specimen and aggregate size effect on concrete compressive strength. Cement, Concrete and Aggregates22(2): 103–115.
28.
IyengarK TChandrashekharaKKrishnaswamyK T (1965)
Strength of concrete under biaxial compression. American Concrete Institute Journal and Proceedings62(9): 1187–1196.
29.
JinLLiuKZhangR, et al. (2022)
Combined effects of cryogenic temperature and strain rates on compressive behavior of concrete. International Journal of Damage Mechanics31(9): 1396–1419.
30.
JinLXuCHanY, et al. (2016)
Effect of end friction on the dynamic compressive mechanical behavior of concrete under medium and low strain rates. Shock and Vibration2016: 1–20.
31.
JinLYuWDuX, et al. (2019a)
Meso-scale modelling of the size effect on dynamic compressive failure of concrete under different strain rates. International Journal of Impact Engineering125: 1–12.
32.
JinLYuWDuX, et al. (2019b)
Mesoscopic numerical simulation of dynamic size effect on the splitting-tensile strength of concrete. Engineering Fracture Mechanics209: 317–332.
33.
KotsovosM D (1983)
Effect of testing techniques on the post-ultimate behaviour of concrete in compression. Matériaux et Constructions16(1): 3–12.
34.
KrauthammerTElfahalM MLimJ, et al. (2003)
Size effect for high-strength concrete cylinders subjected to axial impact. International Journal of Impact Engineering28(9): 1001–1016.
35.
KumarSMukhopadhyayTWaseemS A, et al. (2016)
Effect of platen restraint on stress–strain behavior of concrete under uniaxial compression: a comparative study. Strength of Materials48(4): 592–602.
36.
LeeJFenvesG L (1998)
Plastic-Damage model for cyclic loading of concrete structures. Journal of Engineering Mechanics124(8): 892–900.
37.
LiFChenGLongH (2020)
An experimental study examining the size effect on the compressive dynamic performance of nuclear power containment concrete. Advances in Materials Science and Engineering2020: 1–11.
38.
LiMHaoHShiY, et al. (2018)
Specimen shape and size effects on the concrete compressive strength under static and dynamic tests. Construction and Building Materials161: 84–93.
39.
LiCYangZHuangY (2019)
End friction effects on concrete dynamic strength using meso-scale models based on XCT image. China Journal of Computer Mechanics36(03): 383–388.
40.
LublinerJOliverJOllerS, et al. (1989)
A plastic-damage model for concrete. International Journal of Solids and Structures25(3): 299–326.
41.
LuoQLiuDQiaoP, et al. (2020)
Micro-CT-based micromechanics and numerical homogenization for effective elastic property of ultra-high performance concrete. International Journal of Damage Mechanics29(1): 45–66.
42.
MaHWuZYuH, et al. (2020)
Experimental and three-dimensional mesoscopic investigation of coral aggregate concrete under dynamic splitting-tensile loading. Materials and Structures53(1)
43.
MalhotraM V (1976)
Are 4× 8 inch concrete cylinders as good as 6× 12 inch cylinders for quality control of concrete. Journal Proceedings73(1): 33–36.
44.
MartinB EHeardW FLoefflerC M, et al. (2018)
Specimen size and strain rate effects on the compressive behavior of concrete. Experimental Mechanics58(2): 357–368.
45.
Ministry of Construction of People’s Republic of China (2019), Standard for Test Methods of Concrete Physical Mechanical Properties GB/T 50081-2019.
Beijing, China:
China Architecture & Building Press.
46.
NaderiSTuWZhangM (2021)
Meso-scale modelling of compressive fracture in concrete with irregularly shaped aggregates. Cement and Concrete Research140: 106317.
47.
NevilleA M (1966)
A general relation for strength of concrete specimens of different shape and size. Journal Proceedings63(10): 1095–1110.
48.
PattersonB MEscobedo-DiazJ PDennis-KollerD, et al. (2012)
Dimensional quantification of embedded voids or objects in three dimensions using X-Ray tomography. Microscopy and Microanalysis18(2): 390–398.
49.
PengRQiuW (2021)
Research on freeze-thaw damage to RC column based on incompatibility deformation from pores. Engineering Structures241: 112462.
50.
PengRQiuWTengF (2020)
Three-dimensional meso-numerical simulation of heterogeneous concrete under freeze-thaw. Construction and Building Materials250: 118573.
51.
QiuWPengR (2021)
Structural behaviors evaluation of the frost damage for RC beams founded on non-coordinated deformation from pores. Materials and Structures54: 123.
52.
SagongMKimSParkD (2013)
Development of a loading platen containing a cylindrical roller bearing to reduce frictional constraint at the boundary. International Journal of Rock Mechanics and Mining Sciences59: 97–104.
53.
SimJYangKJeonJ (2013)
Influence of aggregate size on the compressive size effect according to different concrete types. Construction and Building Materials44: 716–725.
54.
SongZLuY (2012)
Mesoscopic analysis of concrete under excessively high strain rate compression and implications on interpretation of test data. International Journal of Impact Engineering46: 41–55.
55.
SuJFangZ (2014)
Experimental study on impact of aggregate mixture on dimensional effect of concrete cubic compressive strength. Journal of Building Structures35(02): 152–157.
56.
SuJYeJFangZ, et al. (2015)
Size effect on cubic and prismatic compressive strength of cement paste. Journal of Central South University22(10): 4090–4096.
57.
TalaatAEmadATarekA, et al. (2021)
Factors affecting the results of concrete compression testing: a review. Ain Shams Engineering Journal12(1): 205–221.
58.
ThilakarathnaP S MKristombu BadugeK SMendisP, et al. (2020)
Mesoscale modelling of concrete-A review of geometry generation, placing algorithms, constitutive relations and applications. Engineering Fracture Mechanics231: 106974.
59.
TokyayMÖzdemirM (1997)
Specimen shape and size effect on the compressive strength of higher strength concrete. Cement and Concrete Research27(8): 1281–1289.
60.
Van VlietM R A, VMierJ G M (1995)
Softening behaviour of concrete under uniaxial compression. Fracture Mechanics of Concrete Structures1: 383.
61.
Van VlietM R AVan MierJ G M (1996)
Experimental investigation of concrete fracture under uniaxial compression. Mechanics of Cohesive-Frictional Materials1(1): 115–127.
62.
VoyiadjisG ZAhmedBParkT (2022)
A review of continuum damage and plasticity in concrete: Part II-Numerical framework. International Journal of Damage Mechanics31(5): 762–794.
63.
WangGLuDDuX, et al. (2018a)
Research on the actual dynamic strength and the rate effect mechanics for concrete materials. Engineering Mechanics35(06): 58–67.
64.
WangJZhangQSongZ, et al. (2021)
Mechanical properties and damage constitutive model for uniaxial compression of salt rock at different loading rates. International Journal of Damage Mechanics30(5): 739–763.
65.
WangSZhangMQuekST, et al. (2011)
Effect of specimen size on static strength and dynamic increase factor of High-Strength concrete from SHPB test. Journal of Testing and Evaluation39(5): 103370.
66.
WangXZhangSWangC, et al. (2018b)
Experimental investigation of the size effect of layered roller compacted concrete (RCC) under high-strain-rate loading. Construction and Building Materials165: 45–57.
67.
WuJWangERenX, et al. (2017)
Size effect of concrete specimens on the acoustic emission characteristics under uniaxial compression conditions. Advances in Materials Science and Engineering2017: 1–12.
68.
WuZZhangJFangQ, et al. (2021)
Mesoscopic modelling of concrete material under static and dynamic loadings: a review. Construction and Building Materials278: 122419.
69.
XuYWanSTaoW, et al. (2015)
Meso-level numerical simulation of SHPB tests with end friction confinement. Concrete (
02): 39–42.
70.
YiSYangEChoiJ (2006)
Effect of specimen sizes, specimen shapes, and placement directions on compressive strength of concrete. Nuclear Engineering and Design236(2): 115–127.
71.
YuWJinLDuX (2021a)
Influence of pre-static loads on dynamic compression and corresponding size effect of concrete: Mesoscale analysis. Construction and Building Materials300: 124302.
72.
YuWJinLLiuX, et al. (2021b)
Mesoscopic finite element analysis on dynamic direct tensile failure of lightweight aggregate concrete and corresponding size effect. International Journal of Damage Mechanics31(3): 403–425.
73.
YuWJinLZhangR, et al. (2023)
Mesoscale modelling of compressive fracture failure of cryogenic concrete considering ice-strengthening effect. Cold Regions Science and Technology207: 103765.
74.
YuQLiuHYangT, et al. (2018)
3D numerical study on fracture process of concrete with different ITZ properties using X-ray computerized tomography. International Journal of Solids and Structures147: 204–222.
75.
ZabihiNErenO (2014)
Compressive strength conversion factors of concrete as affected by specimen shape and size. Research Journal of Applied Sciences, Engineering and Technology7(20): 4251–4257.
76.
ZhangBFengYXieJ, et al. (2022)
Compressive behaviours, splitting properties, and workability of lightweight cement concrete: the role of fibres. Construction and Building Materials320: 126237.
77.
ZhangZGuoJZhangZ, et al. (2021)
Mesoscale damage modelling of concrete by using image-based scaled boundary finite element method. International Journal of Damage Mechanics30(8): 1281–1311.
78.
ZhangRJinLDuX (2021)
Three-dimensional meso-scale modelling of failure of steel fiber reinforced concrete at room and elevated temperatures. Construction and Building Materials278: 122368.
79.
ZhangRJinLLiuM, et al. (2022a)
Mesoscale modelling of bond performance between deformed steel bar and concrete subjected to dynamic loads. International Journal of Impact Engineering163: 104159.
80.
ZhangRJinLLiuM, et al. (2022b)
Refined modeling of the interfacial behavior between FRP bars and concrete under different loading rates. Composite Structures291: 115676.
81.
ZhongHZhangM (2022)
Effect of recycled polymer fibre on dynamic compressive behaviour of engineered geopolymer composites. Ceramics International48(16): 23713–23730.
82.
ZhouHMaQZhaoX, et al. (2021)
Experimental study on dynamic rate relevance of concrete size effect. Concrete1: 61–65.
