Modulus degradation of concrete exposed to compressive fatigue loading: Insights from lab testing

This article analyzed the modulus degradation of concrete subjected to multi-level compressive cyclic loading. The evolution of secant elastic modulus is investigated based on measurements from top loading platen and LVDT in the middle part of concrete. The difference value of the two secant elastic moduli is reduced when close to failure and could be used as a fatigue failure precursor. The fatigue hardening is observed for concrete during cyclic loading. When the maximum stress is smaller the fatigue hardening is more obvious. The slight increase of maximum stress will lead to the "periodic hardening". The tangent elastic modulus shows a specific "bowknot" shape during cyclic loading, which can characterize the hysteresis of stress-strain and is influenced by the cyclic loading stresses. The deterioration of secant elastic modulus acts a similar role with respect to the P-wave speed during cyclic loading, can both characterize the degradation of the concrete properties.