LAUSR

The design and preparation of a cement-based composite material (CCM) with a strength gradient is described. The strength gradient was achieved by altering the water/cement ratio and the curing time along the section height of the sample. The experimental results were compared with thermal-gradient-induced deformation (TGD) obtained in K0DCGF tests (freezing with non-uniform temperature under loading after K0 consolidation). The deformation behaviour in the CCM, which was different from any previously functionally graded material, coincided well with the TGD. The scaled-up mean stress and strain of the CCM were, respectively, over 97% and less than 120% of the values obtained in the K0DCGF test. A simulated TGD profile from the CCM was used to characterise the thermal-gradient-induced heterogeneity. A linear response between peak strength or volumetric strain and heterogeneity was observed in the K0DCGF test, and this was independent of the selection of the describing variable. The use of CCMs to model an...