Fracture energy and tension softening relation for nano-modified concrete

This paper presents the details of size independent fracture energy and bi-linear tension softening relation for nano modified high strength concrete. Nano silica in powder form has been used as partial replacement of cement by 2 wt%. Two popular methods, namely, simplified boundary effect method of Karihaloo et al. (2003) and RILEM (1985) fracture energy with P-delta tail correction have been employed for estimation of size independent fracture energy for nano modified high strength concrete (compressive strength ranges from 55 MPa to 72 MPa). It is found that both the methods gave nearly same values, which is an additional evidence that either of them can be employed for determination of size independent fracture energy. Bi-linear tension softening relation corresponding to their size independent fracture energy has been constructed in an inverse manner based on the concept of non-linear hinge from the load-crack mouth opening plots of notched three-point bend beams.