Abstract
We propose a test specimen and its test method for measuring and visualizing internal cracks in reinforced concrete, and demonstrate the validity. The proposed test specimen is a RC beam with steel bars exposed partially, which enables us to measure the internal cracks formed around deformed bars. We first show a numerical example to demonstrate the validity of the proposed test method for measuring internal cracks, using the finite element analysis with a damage model based on fracture mechanics for concrete. Then, the propagation of internal cracks in 4-point bend test of the proposed test specimen is measured and visualized by the digital image correlation. The comparison between the numerical and experimental results shows that the proposed test method is effective for measuring and visualizing internal cracks in the process of loading test.
