scope:

PREFACE

Fracture mechanics concepts are increasingly used in designing concrete structures and also in understanding the fundamental behavior of concrete-like materials. Fracture mechanics concepts have the potential for use in designing concrete-FRP composites and in repairing concrete structures. To review and discuss the current state-of-applications of fracture mechanics concepts to concrete materials, ACI Committee 446 sponsored two sessions at the ACI Spring 2000 Convention held in San Diego, California. One objective of this conference and the resulting publication is to provide an update on the use of fracture mechanics concepts to cement concrete, polymer concrete, and FRP-concrete materials.

This conference also provided an effective means of sharing recent technological advances, engineering applications, and research results among practitioners, researchers, and potential users from many parts of the world. Selecting the testing method to determine the fracture properties of concrete materials for various applications is an issue confronting the profession and was discussed during the sessions.

This publication contains the papers that were presented at the ACI Annual Convention held in San Diego, California, March 27,2000. Also, some additional papers are included in this Special Publication. All the papers in this Special Publication were peer reviewed by at least two reviewers for content, quality, and for possible publication. All papers are eligible for discussion in the ACI Materials Journal.