Comprehensive analysis of bending fracture behavior in calcined red-layer Portland composites: A multi-perspective approach

IF 5.6 2区工程技术 Q1 ENGINEERING, MECHANICAL

Theoretical and Applied Fracture Mechanics Pub Date : 2025-08-12 DOI:10.1016/j.tafmec.2025.105169

Ke Zhang , Zichen Wang , Kai Zhang , Na Li

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引用次数: 0

Abstract

The red-clay (also known as red-layer) in Central Yunnan, as a typical engineering waste, still lacks effective pathways for large-scale resource utilization. In this study, calcined red-layer is used to partially replace cement to prepare calcined red-layer Portland composites (RPC), and a series of three-point bending tests are conducted. By integrating digital image correlation (DIC) technology, energy evolution analysis, fracture process zone (FPZ) characterization, and quantitative fracture surface morphology analysis, the bending fracture behaviors of RPC materials are systematically revealed. The results show that with increasing replacement ratio of calcined red-layer, the mechanical properties and strain energy of RPC specimens show a decreasing trend, indicating a reduction in overall load-bearing capacity and energy release potential. Meanwhile, the expansion of the fracture process zone and the increased roughness of fracture surface morphology reflect more complex crack propagation paths. The microstructural evolution of RPC specimens with different replacement ratios of calcined red-layer is investigated using scanning electron microscopy (SEM). Based on fractal theory, the microstructural complexity is quantitatively described by the calculate box-counting fractal dimension (D), which increases from 1.1096 to 1.3261 with higher replacement ratios. Significant correlations are observed between D and the macroscopic mechanical properties, strain energy properties, FPZ properties and fracture surface morphology properties, with correlation coefficients ranging from 0.82 to 0.97. The results demonstrate the driving role of microstructural complexity in the evolution of bending fracture behaviors of RPC materials, providing a theoretical foundation and engineering guidance for the high-value utilization of waste red-layer and the design of green, high-toughness concrete materials.

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煅烧红层硅酸盐复合材料弯曲断裂行为的综合分析：多视角方法

滇中地区红粘土（又称红层）作为典型的工程废弃物，目前还缺乏大规模资源化利用的有效途径。本研究采用煅烧红层部分替代水泥制备煅烧红层硅酸盐复合材料（RPC），并进行了一系列三点弯曲试验。通过集成数字图像相关（DIC）技术、能量演化分析、断裂过程区（FPZ）表征和断口形貌定量分析，系统揭示了RPC材料的弯曲断裂行为。结果表明：随着煅烧红层替换率的增加，RPC试件的力学性能和应变能呈下降趋势，表明整体承载能力和能量释放潜力降低；同时，断裂过程区的扩大和断口形貌粗糙度的增加反映出裂纹扩展路径的复杂化。采用扫描电镜（SEM）研究了不同红层替换率RPC试样的微观结构演变。基于分形理论，计算出的盒计数分形维数(D)定量描述了微观结构的复杂性，随着替换率的增加，其分形维数从1.1096增加到1.3261。D与宏观力学性能、应变能性能、FPZ性能和断口形貌性能呈显著相关，相关系数在0.82 ~ 0.97之间。研究结果揭示了微观结构复杂性对RPC材料弯曲断裂行为演化的驱动作用，为废弃红层的高价值利用和绿色高韧性混凝土材料的设计提供了理论基础和工程指导。

本文章由计算机程序翻译，如有差异，请以英文原文为准。

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来源期刊

Theoretical and Applied Fracture Mechanics 工程技术-工程：机械

CiteScore

8.40

自引率

18.90%

发文量

435

审稿时长

37 days

期刊介绍： Theoretical and Applied Fracture Mechanics'' aims & scopes have been re-designed to cover both the theoretical, applied, and numerical aspects associated with those cracking related phenomena taking place, at a micro-, meso-, and macroscopic level, in materials/components/structures of any kind. The journal aims to cover the cracking/mechanical behaviour of materials/components/structures in those situations involving both time-independent and time-dependent system of external forces/moments (such as, for instance, quasi-static, impulsive, impact, blasting, creep, contact, and fatigue loading). Since, under the above circumstances, the mechanical behaviour of cracked materials/components/structures is also affected by the environmental conditions, the journal would consider also those theoretical/experimental research works investigating the effect of external variables such as, for instance, the effect of corrosive environments as well as of high/low-temperature.