Bending Performance of Alkali-Activated Concrete Beams Based on Digital Image Correlation Method
Abstract
:1. Introduction
2. Experimental Programs
2.1. Specimen Preparations
2.2. Four-Point Bending Tests
2.3. Failure Mode and Crack Propagation of Beams
3. Result Analysis
3.1. Cracking Load
3.2. Load-Displacement Curve
3.3. Load-Crack Width Curve
4. Comparison Between Theoretical Calculation and Experimental Values
4.1. Cracking Moment
4.2. Mid-Span Displacement
4.3. Crack Width Calculation
5. Conclusions
- The DIC method outperforms traditional measurement techniques in assessing cracking load, displacement, and crack width. It offers precise, non-contact measurements of full-field deformations, enabling accurate determination of the cracking load and continuous tracking of crack propagation under different load conditions;
- For ALAC beams with different reinforcement ratios, the mid-span displacement corresponding to the peak load decreases as the reinforcement ratio increases, indicating that a higher reinforcement ratio enhances the stiffness of structures and reduces displacement. Furthermore, for the same reinforcement ratio, ALAC beams demonstrate higher ultimate bearing capacity and smaller maximum crack width compared to ordinary PCC beams, highlighting the superior mechanical properties of ALAC;
- For ALAC beams, the cracking load calculated using a plasticity coefficient of 1.17 for the section resistance moment aligns well with the experimental results. Additionally, the calculation formulas for mid-span displacement and maximum crack width, which are typically used for ordinary concrete beams, also provide accurate predictions for the corresponding properties of ALAC beams under normal service state. This indicates that existing design codes and calculation methods can, to some extent, be applied to ALAC, offering valuable theoretical support for engineering application.
Author Contributions
Funding
Institutional Review Board Statement
Informed Consent Statement
Data Availability Statement
Conflicts of Interest
References
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Gravel | Sand | Mineral Powder | Fly Ash | Cement | NaOH | Na2SiO3 | Water | Superplasticizer | |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
ALAC | 1047 | 690 | 250 | 85 | 85 | 11 | 84 | 155 | 10 |
PCC | 1047 | 690 | - | 70 | 350 | - | - | 190 | 10 |
Material | Cube Compressive Strength fcu (MPa) | Axial Compressive Strength ftk (MPa) | Axial Tensile Strength ft (MPa) | Elastic Modulus Ec (GPa) |
---|---|---|---|---|
ALAC | 53.4 | 41.1 | 3.10 | 29.7 |
PCC | 54.6 | 32.5 | 3.14 | 34.5 |
Specimen | Type of Concrete | Diameter of Reinforcement (mm) | Ratio of Reinforcement (%) |
---|---|---|---|
A-6 | ALAC | 6 | 0.29 |
A-8 | ALAC | 8 | 0.51 |
A-10 | ALAC | 10 | 0.81 |
A-12 | ALAC | 12 | 1.17 |
P-12 | PCC | 12 | 1.17 |
Specimen | Traditional Visual Observation Method (kN) | DIC Method (kN) |
---|---|---|
A-6 | 12.1 | 10.32 |
A-8 | 13.6 | 10.90 |
A-10 | 11.5 | 10.91 |
A-12 | 14.0 | 12.04 |
P-12 | 13.5 | 12.37 |
Specimen | Measured Cracking Moment (DIC) (kN·m) | Calculated Cracking Moment (kN·m) | Ratio of Measured to Calculated Cracking Moment |
---|---|---|---|
A-6 | 2.58 | 2.93 | 0.88 |
A-8 | 2.73 | 2.94 | 0.93 |
A-10 | 2.73 | 2.95 | 0.93 |
A-12 | 3.01 | 2.96 | 1.02 |
P-12 | 3.09 | 2.98 | 1.04 |
Specimen | Measured Displacement (DIC) (mm) | Calculated Displacement (mm) | Ratio of Measured to Calculated Displacement |
---|---|---|---|
A-6 | 3.21 | 2.11 | 1.52 |
A-8 | 4.11 | 3.57 | 1.15 |
A-10 | 4.70 | 4.06 | 1.16 |
A-12 | 6.02 | 4.55 | 1.32 |
P-12 | 4.31 | 4.02 | 1.07 |
Specimen | Measured Crack Width (DIC) (mm) | Calculated Crack Width (mm) | Ratio of Measured to Calculated Crack Width |
---|---|---|---|
A-6 | 0.61 | 0.17 | 3.59 |
A-8 | 0.46 | 0.35 | 1.31 |
A-10 | 0.40 | 0.36 | 1.11 |
A-12 | 0.36 | 0.35 | 1.03 |
P-12 | 0.50 | 0.32 | 1.56 |
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Gao, H.; Sun, H.; Wang, Z.; Han, X.; Li, X. Bending Performance of Alkali-Activated Concrete Beams Based on Digital Image Correlation Method. Materials 2025, 18, 1616. https://doi.org/10.3390/ma18071616
Gao H, Sun H, Wang Z, Han X, Li X. Bending Performance of Alkali-Activated Concrete Beams Based on Digital Image Correlation Method. Materials. 2025; 18(7):1616. https://doi.org/10.3390/ma18071616
Chicago/Turabian StyleGao, Hongbo, Hongna Sun, Zhaokun Wang, Xiaoyan Han, and Xinru Li. 2025. "Bending Performance of Alkali-Activated Concrete Beams Based on Digital Image Correlation Method" Materials 18, no. 7: 1616. https://doi.org/10.3390/ma18071616
APA StyleGao, H., Sun, H., Wang, Z., Han, X., & Li, X. (2025). Bending Performance of Alkali-Activated Concrete Beams Based on Digital Image Correlation Method. Materials, 18(7), 1616. https://doi.org/10.3390/ma18071616