Analysis of mode II fracture of fibre-reinforced gypsum specimens using an anchor bolt test

Abstract

Fibre reinforcement is not a new idea, but it has experienced a very important development in the last years. Many recent studies have analysed the effect of fibre reinforcement on fracture [1], which is of special interest in the case of concrete, given the high production of this material and its impact on the global economy and the world environment, due to the carbon footprint its production generates. Nevertheless, the use of gypsum is also widespread in the construction field and is the most used material for interior lining. Although this is not a structural material, the use of fibre reinforcement may be of interest in some cases, increasing the fracture energy of the elements and reducing tearing [2]. In the analysis of fracture of quasi-brittle materials, studies have traditionally focused on mode I. Mode I is indeed the most usual fracture mode, but in some cases Mode II has a strong influence at the onset of fracture. There is not much information about Mode II fracture in the literature and almost none about fracture of fibre-reinforced quasi-brittle materials. In this contribution mode II fracture of fibre reinforced gypsum (FRG) is studied by means of anchor bolt tests. This test was analysed in depth by RILEM [3] and consists of pulling an embedded T-shaped steel element out of a block of concrete. In the case of this study, the test is used with fibre-reinforced gypsum specimens.