ABSTRACT
Abstract The fracture process of high strength concrete (HSC), submitted to uniaxial compres sion, is analysed by means of loading tests on cylinders under special closed loop control. Conclusions are drawn from axial and circumferential strain curves, cross sections of specimens impregnated with a fluorescent dye and visual observations. The evolution of the internal crack extension is revealed and it is shown that under stable progressive fracture, predominantly aggregate bond failure and crack bran ching occur with the cracks passing around the coarse aggregates. The onset of damage is explained in terms of elementary force transfer concepts and a volumetric damage parameter is introduced, Keywords : High strength concrete, Fracture, Strain-softening, Crack propagation, Closed loop testing, Stress strain diagram.
