A two-phase model for predicting the compressive strength of concrete

In order to study the strength of concrete, cement-based composite material specimens with different volume fractions (10%, 20%, and 30%) of aggregate and two water/(cement+silicafume) ratios (w/b=0.28 and 0.6) were cast and tested. Theoretical analysis was investigated in this study by employing the theory of micromechanics. A new approach is proposed to obtain the average stress fields of inhomogeneities and matrix by use of the equivalent inclusion method and the concept of Mori-Tanaka theory. The uniaxial compressive strength of cement-based composite materials can be considered as a function of component properties of composite, and the volume fraction of aggregate. The compressive strength of concrete is controlled by the weakest component. The comparison is also made between theoretical results and the experimental data. Copyright (C) 1996 Elsevier Science Ltd