Abstract
A convenient method to determine the parameters of bi-linear tension softening model for concrete by using a standard fracture energy test and some standard material tests have been studied. For the purpose of describing the shape of bi-linear tension softening diagram, four parameters are introduced ; 1) softening initiation stress (Ft), 2) the first softening slope in the bi-liner model (T1), 3) the second softening slope (T2) and 4) fracture energy calculated by the bi-linear model (G'F). Once the empirical relationship between the model parameters and experimental parameters is established, the model parameters can be calculated from the equations. With introducing new experimental parameters, brittleness index (BRI) and initial fracture work (gβ), the required equations are established by using our own test data. A verification using the results of three-point bending test by other researchers was made to confirm the capability of the present method.
