Fracture energy of foamed concrete based on three-point bending test on notched beams

A series of static loading tests was performed to determine the fracture properties of foamed concrete of varying density. Beams with dimensions of 100×100×840 mm with a central notch were tested in three-point bending. Then, remaining halves of the specimens were tested again as un-notched beams in the same set-up with reduced distance between supports. The tests were performed in a hydraulic displacement controlled testing machine with a load capacity of 5 kN. Apart from measuring the loading and mid-span displacement, a crack mouth opening displacement (CMOD) was monitored. Based on the load - displacement curves of notched beams the values of fracture energy and tensile stress at failure were calculated. Subsequently, the flexural tensile strength was obtained on un-notched beams with dimensions of 100×100×420 mm. Moreover, cube specimens 150×150×150 mm were tested in compression to determine the compressive strength.