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Procedia Engineering 190 (2017) 427 – 432

Structural and Physical Aspects of Construction Engineering

Spatial Modeling of Wedge-Splitting Test on Cylindrical Specimens

Using FEM Software
Jiří Klona,*, Jakub Sobeka, Václav Veselýa
a
Brno University of Technology, Faculty of Civil Engineering, Institute of Structural Mechanics, Veveří 331/95, 602 00 Brno, Czech Republic

Abstract

This paper discusses numerical models of the wedge-splitting test on cylindrical specimens made of quasi-brittle material. These
models are used for predictions of crack/damage propagation and are crucial for the further evaluation of fracture parameters.
Validation of these models is made based on experimentally obtained data. To assemble the numerical models, ATENA FEM
software was used. In this software, damaging of the structure/specimen caused by cracks, their initiation and progressive
propagation throughout the loading process, can be modelled. In this case, the material model for concrete based on cohesive crack
approach was used. The analysis is focused on comparison of the 2D and 3D numerical models created with real material properties
obtained from experimental data.
©
© 2017
2017TheTheAuthors. Published
Authors. by Elsevier
Published Ltd. Ltd.
by Elsevier This is an open access article under the CC BY-NC-ND license
(http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-nd/4.0/).
Peer-review under responsibility of the issue editors.
Peer-review under responsibility of the organizing committee of SPACE 2016
Keywords: Wedge-splitting test; quasi-brittle material; fracture propagation; numerical simulation.

1. Introduction

Evaluation of the loading tests of specimens is an essential issue for determination of parameters of the tested
material. It has a real basis in standards – but a real evaluation of the tests where failure due to cracks is observed often
devoid fracture approach, in particular in the case of quasi-brittle materials (e.g. cement composites as concrete,
various kinds of ceramics, etc.). Universal usage (for today’s modern industries, production and especially
construction) of those materials in different constructions and its parts nominates them as candidates suitable for
detailed analysis and optimization (quantity/price/quality, etc.). Their failure is associated with the development of
cracks. It cannot be convinced only visually about the creation and the early stages of crack development, which might
mean the initiation of structural failure. Due to this fact, it was approached to testing on specimens in order to record

* Corresponding author. Tel.: +420-541-148-209.

E-mail address: klon.j@fce.vutbr.cz

1877-7058 © 2017 The Authors. Published by Elsevier Ltd. This is an open access article under the CC BY-NC-ND license
(http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-nd/4.0/).
Peer-review under responsibility of the organizing committee of SPACE 2016
doi:10.1016/j.proeng.2017.05.359
428 Jiří Klon et al. / Procedia Engineering 190 (2017) 427 – 432

the specimen response from beginning until their total destruction by the main crack running through whole specimen
body.
In terms of determining the values of fracture
parameters it depends here on the context with
the size and shape of the specimen and also on
the boundary conditions during the test. These
problems are commonly referred to as the size
effect, shape effect and the boundary effect.
Interpretation of fracture parameters using
standard test methods does not reflect this
problems/effects. A solution for quasi-brittle
materials can be in taking into account the
impact of the current fracture process zone
(FPZ) developing at the crack tip in the
specimen body. Thus, the place where the
tensile softening of the material occurs, which
is caused by the change of the material
properties through mechanisms like micro-
cracking, bridging and branching of cracks, etc.
Fig. 1. Geometry of a cylindrical specimen intended for WST including
In the case of quasi-brittle materials, the size of
dimensions [4]. this zone is not negligible in comparison with
the dimensions of the structures. Processes that
take place in the FPZ can be simply described as the creation of micro-cracks, initiation of the macro-crack and its
gradual propagation through specimen.
Fracture parameters obtained from loading tests come into description of
the FPZ. Quantification of amount of the energy dissipated in the volume of
FPZ (or its relating directly to the volume of the zone) is very important. From
the text above logically follows, that the description of this zone and its
possible modeling must be supported by a precise description of stress and
strain fields in larger distances from the crack tip.
According to [1], [2], the most common experimental configuration for
determination of fracture parameters of quasi-brittle materials (especially
concrete) is the three-point bending of a beam with initiation notch. There are
also other test configurations generally used, for example, report [3] devotes
a long chapter to a configuration that is commonly referred to as the wedge-
splitting test (WST). The WST configuration for quasi-brittle materials was
first published in 1986 [5]. It brings many advantages, such as testing on
specimens with of round cross-section (removed from current structure by
core drilling), compact dimensions enabling production of large number of
specimens (from the same volume of material as the beam for three-point
bending), appropriate adjustments of angle and size of the loading wedge (and
thus varying the ratio between vertical pressure and splitting force).
The test configuration which is the subject of this research and whose form
corresponds to the real experimental test that can be standardly realized at the
Institute of Structural Mechanics, Faculty of Civil Engineering, Brno
University of Technology (Fig. 1 and 2), is based on splitting of the test
specimen by the wedge imposed between steel plates provided by pins and Fig. 2. Wedge-splitting test [4].
bearings (Fig. 2). The specimen can be supported by one or two supports. In
comparison to a cubic specimen shape, the cylindrical shape may have certain
advantages (i.e. possibility of preparation of the specimen via removing a core from existing structure by drilling,
smaller volume of concrete for the same ligament, etc.).
 Jiří Klon et al. / Procedia Engineering 190 (2017) 427 – 432 429

2. ATENA models

This study is focused on comparison of the two-dimensional and three-dimensional numerical models of the wedge-
splitting tests on cylindrical specimen body. For assembling of these models and the finite element method (FEM)
analysis of their response the 2D and 3D versions, respectively, of the ATENA program was used [6]. This program
was developed to perform nonlinear analysis of structures based on the FEM and include a tool specifically designed
for simulation of the quasi-brittle fracture.
The main objective of this comparison is to determine the most appropriate way of numerical modeling of the
transfer of the loading from the test machine to the specimen. The loading chain consists of the loading wedge and the
steel platens with roller bearings. These platens impose a combination of vertical load and splitting forces to the test
specimen. During actual test, the transmission is realized through the bearings, which are attached on the steel platens
by pins (Fig. 2). These bearings allow free rotation of steel platens during loading (within the deformation of the test
specimen), possibly a slight rotation of the specimen body, which prevents the formation of friction force between the
steel platens and the wedge (only rolling resistance of bearings occurs, which is negligible in comparison with friction
force) and also allow to use a different angle of the wedge.

2.1. ATENA 2D

First the planar model was created in ATENA 2D FEM program (Fig. 3). The model consists of several parts, which
are interconnected into a single entity. The principal part is the main test specimen, which has a circular shape with
a diameter of 150 mm and a thickness of 50 mm (thickness is set in ATENA 2D with a value assigned to individual
regions – macroelements – of the model). This part is made of the 3D NonLinear Cementitious 2 material model,
which is in ATENA software used to modeling the behavior of quasi-brittle material (for material parameters see
Tab. 1). The other parts are the steel platens, through which the loading is imposed from the wedge to the specimen
body. These platens are located on top of the specimen and their shape is like the letter ‘L’. Connection between steel
platens and test specimen is realized by 2D Interface material. This material is in ATENA 2D used for connections
between different materials with the possibility to set the parameters of contact (friction coefficient, cohesion, normal
stiffness, tangential stiffness, tensile strength, etc.) [7]. This material is applied to almost the entire length of the contact
for both platens. Only a small part of the contact surface (5 mm of horizontal surface for every one platen) is realized
by rigid connection of the elements, this adjustment was necessary to ensure stability of the calculation. The above
mentioned bearings are in fact connected to the platens by steel pins (see Fig. 2) that could not be modeled in the 2D
variant, so truss structure replace this construction and it allows gripping of platens to be in position, that corresponds
to the axes of the bearings. Another part is the base block, which served as support for the specimen body. Bottom
surface of this block serves as a support for the whole model.

Table 1. Material parameters.

3D Nonlinear 3D Elastic 3D Interface Base block (3D
Cementitious 2 Isotropic Elastic Isotropic)
Modulus of elasticity [MPa] 4.189·104 2.100·105 1.0·102
Poisson ratio [-] 0.2 0.3 0.3
Tensile strength [MPa] 4.268 1.0·10-2
Compressive strength [MPa] -63.750
Specific fracture energy [MN/m] 1.067·10-4
3
Normal stiffness [MN/m ] 2.0·108
Tangential stiffness [MN/m3] 2.0·108
Cohesion [MPa] 1.0·10-2
Friction coefficient [-] 5.0·10-1
430 Jiří Klon et al. / Procedia Engineering 190 (2017) 427 – 432

Fig. 3. 2D variant.

Since the software ATENA version 2D or 3D does not allow modeling of the direct ‘rotation’ to the (ball/roller)
bearings, it was therefore necessary to accede to simplification of this mechanism. A simplification was chosen for the
planar model, when the influence of the bearing with the loading wedge is simulated by a pulled rod (the used element
in the program is the external cable) which pulls the platens in the direction that the forces in the real situation in the
experiment do. This pulled rod is fastened on the upper side of the platens in the points where the actual axes of the
bearing are located. The other side of that tensioned rod is clamped in the extended part of the base block. It was
necessary to create that part to enable fixed points in the model for attaching of the external cables. The extension (the
line-line part connecting the central support and the lateral points, where the load is applied on the rods) is made of a
material with extremely low modulus of elasticity, in order to avoid introducing an error to the results due to observed
(and inevitable) deformation of this part.
Loading of the model is realized by introducing of a displacement increment to the lower ends of the pulled rods
along their axes. Thus, a deformation occurs resulting in a moving of the platens apart (with enabled rotations around
the bearing axes), which finally leads to splitting and vertical compression of the specimen. Note again, that free
rotation of the platens during loading is allowed due to the use of the pulled rods as the load applicators. Material
parameters for the rod were selected to be very rigid.

2.2. ATENA 3D

The first variant of the three-dimensional model (variant A) was modeled in a very similar way to the planar model.
Spatial model is also using contact material, in this case 3D Interface. This material allows to set the same parameters
as 2D Interface material. For all 3D models this material was used for horizontal contact surfaces between platens and
specimen. Vertical surfaces are connected by rigid connection of the elements (again to ensure stability of the
calculation). The difference from the above mentioned model is particularly in the proper 3D modeling of the load
distributing steel platens, whose lateral part has been replaced by a truss construction in the 2D model; however, it is
modeled as in reality now. Again, the upper part of the rods on either side is attached in the place of the bearing axis
and its lower end is anchored to the extended base block. In this variant, however, each plate is pulled by two rods
that lie in planes parallel to the front respectively rear surface of the cylindrical specimen. Loading of the specimen is
realized as displacement controlled, particularly by moving of the lower end of the rods in the direction of their
longitudinal axes.

Fig. 4. (a) 3D variant A; (b) 3D variant B; (c) 3D variant C.

 Jiří Klon et al. / Procedia Engineering 190 (2017) 427 – 432 431

Another considered variant (variant B) presents a modification of the previous model, which is in the attachment
of the lower ends of the pulled rods. In this variant, the tensioned ends of the rods come together into one point (for
each side of the model). This adjustment was made due to observed twisting of the extended part of base block at the
free ends with the attached pull rods in the variant A. In this variant, the base block is of triangular shape (from the
plan view, of course each side separately) Fig. 4 (a).
The last variant of the model (variant C) is not loaded by displacement increment applied at the ends of the rods.
The specimen is directly split with an imposition of the wedge, as in actual test. This wedge is pushed between platens
which are modified in comparison to real situation by introducing of steel panels attached on lateral sides of the
platens. These panels have the appropriate planes parallel with the sides of the wedge. The ratio of the splitting force
and the vertical load on the specimen is determined by the selected value of cohesion and friction between the wedge
and these lateral blocks of the steel platens. Unfortunately, this configuration does not allow free rotation of the steel
plates. Nevertheless, the model with a real interpretation of the roller/ball bearings function was not implemented
successfully due to limitations of the employed computational tool

3. Comparison of variants

Because the response of the individual variants of the model (functions of the imposed displacements and the
corresponding forces) is not directly compared in this work (to compile different variants of the model, it was
necessary to modify some of the material parameters and dimensions of the auxiliary structures to obtain proper
behavior of the models), the models are compared just based on the mechanism of the crack initiation and development
(see tab. 2.).
In the planar model, first cracks develop from the tip of the notch and propagate towards the base block. During
further loading these cracks occur subsequently in the corners of the groove, where the steel plates are
inserted/attached. Crack propagation from the notch gradually changes into macro-crack which progresses vertically
down through the specimen. At one third of the height of the specimen body from the lower edge the macro-crack
bends and progresses laterally. Finally, the crack occurs above the base block.
In the 3D variant of this model (variant A), the first cracks also start at the tip of the initiation notch. During this
stage, the concrete under the steel platens begins to crush. In the next stages, the cracks close to the initiation notch
start to branch and their growth stops. Concrete under steel plates is still crushing. In the final stage of calculation, a
kind of fan-shaped cracks is being formed from the initiation notch to approximately half of the specimen; the upper
part consists of cracks arising under the steel platens. At the same time, there is some cracking of the concrete above
the support/base block.
In the variant of the model with the pulled rods connected at their ends (variant B) the crack growth occurs again
from the initiation notch and is subsequently accompanied with a slight crushing of concrete under steel platens.
During the next loading, the cracks start at the initiation notch spreading into a kind of cylindrical surfaces that
gradually increase their radius until it fills the entire specimen body.
In the case of the last described variant (variant C), which uses the loading wedge directly, there is also the
propagation of cracks from the initiation notch, similarly to the above mentioned variants. Close to the loading platens,
the cracks propagate in a smaller extent than in the previous variants. The cracks begin to spread again into a kind of
cylindrical surfaces from the initiation notch, but in the later stages of loading, it turns outwards from the specimen
body, as in the 2D variant. The crushing above the support block is negligible in this variant.

4. Discussion of results

From the analysis presented above, it is clear that the development of cracks for each variant is quite different. For
the planar model the crack is propagating in a way that corresponds with the observed real failure propagation during
the test.
For the spatial variations there is a different crack development visible dependent on the model variant. Even for
the two very similar variants A and B significant differences are noticed. This is probably due to a more efficient
imposition of the loading in the variant B with the pulled rods connected at their ends, during which the twisting of
432 Jiří Klon et al. / Procedia Engineering 190 (2017) 427 – 432

the extended base block is disabled. For this reason, the variant C appears to be the most favorable one, where this
effect is completely eliminated by the absence of the above mentioned rods.
Therefore, this variant is considered as the most appropriate for further optimization, which will be focused on
adaptation of the contact between the loading wedge and the steel platens.

Table 2. Crack Propagation.

2D variant 3D variant A 3D variant B 3D variant C

First crack

A middle
stage of
loading

Final
stadium of
calculation

Acknowledgements

The financial support from Czech Science Foundation (project No. 15-07210S) and Brno University
of Technology, Specific Research programme (FAST-S-16-3475) is gratefully acknowledged.

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