Experimental study on tensile failure process of double-K fracture parameters in roller compacted concrete layer

Study on failure of soft stratum of roller compacted concrete (RCC) is an important aspect of stability of high RCC dam. Six kinds of specimens with different interfaces were investigated by wedge splitting method. Double-K fracture parameters (initial fracture parameter and unsteady fracture parameter) were calculated by the concrete double-K fracture theory. It is indicated that the approach of construction joint or old joint after RCC final set is the most efficient among the six cases, and its fracture parameter is the largest among them. Its propagation path is sinuous. Its failure surface is scraggly. Bedding plane crack fails at the underside of the concrete surface, bond course or the surface between them for each approach. So disturbance on the underside of the concrete surface should be avoided or decreased at best during RCC construction.