Crack Extension Force Concept Applied to the Compressive Failure of Portland-Cement-Based Mortars.

An attempt was made to characterize the compressive failure of sanded mortar by using the critical crack extension force parameter suggested by Glucklich for compressive failures of concrete. Experimental microcrack measurement data from the mortar specimens and the subsequent analysis indicate that Crack extension force parameter is proportional only to the square of the applied stress at stresses less than 95 percent of ultimate strength, and therefore may not provide any additional benefits as a characterization tool in that stress range. Author