Probability Fatigue Models of Concrete Subjected to Splitting-Tensile Loads

Abstract

The purpose of this study was to compare the fatigue test results of splitting tensile from flexural tensile tests and to develop a probability fatigue models of pavement concretes subjected to splitting tensile fatigue loading. To obtain this goal, splitting and flexural tensile fatigue tests were performed under constant amplitude loadings with three stress levels. Fatigue data analyses, probability distribution analysis of two-parameter Weibull and goodness-of-fit tests with the Kolmogorov-Smirnov method, were performed. The results were as follows: the standard deviations of fatigue life became bigger as the stress levels decreased for both tests. The distribution of fatigue lives for splitting tensile test would be comparable to those for three-point bending test. A guideline for excluding an unexpected fatigue data was proposed in this study: exclude the data either if it is out of bound at 0.9 R² in S-N regression relationship or if it does not fail to fatigue limit. Fatigue damage was shown to be faster at the splitting tensile test than at the flexural tensile test. From the probability analysis at 5% significance level in each stress level, the probability density function of concrete pavement followed Weibull distribution function. Based on these results, probability fatigue models of pavement concrete subjected to cyclic loadings were proposed.