Self-compacting concrete, protecting steel reinforcement under cyclic load: evaluation of fatigue crack behavior

Abstract

The unique properties of self-compacting concrete of high workability without loss of stability and improved durability allow better protection of steel reinforcement in concrete structures. Recently, fatigue behavior has become more important for the design of constructions due to slimmer structures, which are more sensitive to fatigue loading. This article aims to evaluate the fatigue crack propagation rate in vibrated concrete and self-compacting concrete under different stress ratios using the Paris-Erdogan law, based on crack mouth opening displacement measurement from cyclic three-point bend tests on single edge notched beams.