Fast fatigue method for self-compacting recycled aggregate concrete characterization

Abstract

ABSTRACT: Designing or analysing the influence of fatigue on concrete structures is becoming increasingly important for a number of structural elements. For this reason, it is necessary to define a method capable of determining the concrete´s fatigue limit in the most economical, fast and efficient way. The aim of this study is to compare and correlate different methods found in the literature in order to reduce the number and duration of the tests required to determine the fatigue limit. This reduction will consequently reduce the economic costs of determining the fatigue limit. For these proposes three different types of self-compacting recycled concrete was used. A linear correlation was found between the analysed methods, which means that the methods are capable of providing similar results and that the results obtained by the economical procedure must be selected. This work opens the door to define an optimal procedure in the process of concrete fatigue characterization, which is capable of yielding results up to five times faster and more economical than with other methodologies, so that resources are not wasted.