The Effect of Concrete Mix Composition on the Character of Fractures of Set Concrete

The article presents the results of strength, stereological and fractographical tests and examinations carried out on concretes made based on two coarse aggregates: basalt and gravel types. A relationship was demonstrated to exist between the strength characteristics of concretes and the fractal dimension, as determined by the chord method. The concrete of poorer strength properties had higher fractal dimension values of its fractures, whereas the concrete of the best strength parameters was characterized by the lowest fractal dimension value.

A relationship was found between the stereological parameters (the mortar fraction, VVmor, the coarse aggregate relative area, SVC, and the air pore relative area, SVP) and the fracture surface morphology described by the fractal dimension, as determined by the chord method, DC.