CHAPTER

6
STRESS-STRAIN RELATIONSHIP IN COMPRESSION

6.1 INTRODUCTION

Concrete is a heterogeneous and multiphase construction material whose behavior is

influenced by its component phases and the interactions among them. In the theory of
reinforced concrete, it is assumed that concrete is elastic, isotropic, homogenous and that it
strictly follows Hooke’s law. But, concrete is not a perfectly elastic material. Concrete
deforms when the load is applied but deformation does not follow any simple set rule. The
deformation depends upon the magnitude of the load, the rate at which load is applied and the
elapsed time after which the observation is made. Therefore, the response of concrete to
applied loads is quite complex. The response of concrete to applied loads depends not only on
the stress type but also on how a combination of various factors affects porosity of the
different structural components of concrete. The factors include properties and proportions of
composition materials for concrete mixture, degree of compaction, and conditions of curing.
The instantaneous deformation of concrete under various types of load provides indirect
information concerning the internal structure as well as the failure mechanism of concrete.
Knowledge of the deformability of concrete is also necessary to compute deflections of
structures, to compute stresses from observed strains, to design sections and to compute loss of
pre-stress in pre-stressed members.

The instantaneous axial deformation of specimen under load can be described conveniently by
a stress-strain diagram. The stress-strain curve representing the deformations and strength
characteristics is an important material characteristic of concrete. The elastic characteristics of
a material are measure of its stiffness. In spite of the nonlinear behavior of concrete, an
estimate of the elastic modulus, i.e., the ratio between the applied stress and instantaneous
strain within an assumed proportional limit is necessary for determining the stresses induced

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by strains associated with environmental effects. It is also needed for computing the design
stresses under load in simple elements, and moments and deflections in complicated
structures. The experimental determination of the complete stress-strain curve is a highly
demanding process because the shape of the curve is strongly influenced by the testing
conditions used (Wee et al. 1996). There have been numerous attempts to model stress-strain
curve mathematically. However, due to various influencing factors and different experimental
conditions, the proposed curves differ. Also, some literatures report a need to establish a
relationship between initial tangent modulus and type of coarse aggregate for generation of
stress-strain curve as initial tangent modulus depends on the type of coarse aggregate used
(Mansur 1995). Good knowledge of stress-strain relationship plays an important role in the
determination of thermal stresses due to heat of hydration of cement and shrinkage stresses
that occur during hardening (Neville 2004). Therefore, a comprehensive understanding of the
behaviour of concrete members at an early age is necessary not only for the design and
construction of the concrete structures but also for the evaluation of durability and service life.

The actual stress distribution in the compression zone of concrete members is extremely
difficult to measure and to adequately model. The shape of the stress-strain curve changes
with various factors. Also, the shape is very complex, as the factors do not act independently;
and it is not easy to represent the influencing factors as constants. However, an equation
representing the stress-strain curve of concrete should meet following conditions (Yi et al.
2003):
1. The equation should compare favorably with experimental data from carefully
conducted experiments.
2. The equation should be based on physically significant parameters that can be
d( f )
experimentally determined. At the point of origin, = E it , where f is the concrete
dε
stress, ε is the concrete strain, and Eit is the initial tangent modulus.
d( f )
3. At the point of maximum stress, =0.
dε
The most common parameters with physical significance used to define the stress-strain curve
include the following:

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 1. Maximum stress (fc), usually considered as the compressive strength of concrete and
determined in accordance with ASTM C 39-93a.
2. Strain ( ε 0 ) corresponding to maximum or peak stress fc.
3. Modulus of elasticity (Ec).
4. Slope at origin or initial tangent modulus ( E it ).

However, in existing literature sufficient data regarding the complete stress-strain curves of
concrete, especially when curing techniques are varied, are not available. Thus, present
chapter is an attempt to study influence of curing techniques on compressive stress-strain
response of concrete.

6.2 INITIAL TANGENT MODULUS AND STRAIN AT PEAK STRESS

A typical stress-strain curve is characterized by parameters like compressive strength, initial
tangent modulus, and strain at peak stress. They act as key parameters in assessing the
performance of concrete. These parameters are determined experimentally for concrete cubical
and cylindrical specimens in present study. The present values indicate average for the
respective group of the specimens (each group comprising of three cubical specimen). To
check whether such averaging is reasonable or not, the stress-strain curves of individual
samples of a typical group are shown in Figure 6.1, which clearly depicts that the testing
method used can reproduce the curve very well till the peak stress in case of present study.
Therefore, such averaging may be considered acceptable. In some cases a substantial deviation
in the nature of curves was also found due to experimental data. The averaging in such cases
was done by considering two best samples of the same set.
40

Sample 1
30
Stress (MPa)

Sample 2
20

10 Sample 3

0
0 0.0002 0.0004 0.0006 0.0008 0.001 0.0012 0.0014
Strain (mm/mm)

Figure 6.1 Stress-Strain curves obtained for individual specimen of M20 grade concrete

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6.2.1 Initial tangent modulus as a function of compressive strength

Initial tangent modulus is the tangent modulus for a line drawn at the origin. It represents the
initial behavior of concrete. Initial tangent modulus is generally 20, 30 and 40 percent higher
than the static modulus of elasticity for high-, medium-, and low-strength concretes,
respectively (Mehta and Monteiro, 1999). In the present study, initial tangent modulus Eit for
each specimen is calculated (Appendix A, Section A6) and plotted as a function of its
compressive strength, f c , in Figure 6.2. It may be seen that Eit increases with an increase in
strength, and this confirms the commonly observed trend. The analysis incorporates 399 cubes
of 150 mm size cast using M20, M30 and M40 grades of concrete, 336 cubes of 100 mm size
and 108 cylinders of 100 mm X 150 mm cast using M20 and M30 grade concrete for
calculation of initial tangent modulus based upon strain-stress characteristics. It may be seen
that the Equation 6.1, obtained by regression analysis, best represents relationship between
initial tangent modulus and compressive strength of concrete for the range of characteristics
compressive strength considered in present study with coefficient of correlation of 0.7271 and
standard deviation of 3.25.
E it = 3.0355 f c
0.5032 (6.1)

where , E it = slope at origin or initial tangent modulus in GPa; f c = compressive strength of

concrete in MPa.

40
y = 3.0355x0.5032
R2 = 0.7271
30
Initial Tangent Modulus
(x 103 MPa)

20

10

0
0 10 20 30 40 50 60
Compressive Strength (MPa)

Figure 6.2 Initial tangent modulus as function of compressive strength

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6.2.2 Strain at Peak Stress
Strain at peak stress is an indication of deformation at maximum stress that can be developed
in a material without causing plastic deformation. At this stage, material exhibits a specified
permanent deformation and is generally considered as practical approximation of elastic limit.
Strain at peak stress is one of the key parameters required for analytical modeling of stress-
strain relationship. But stress at peak strain depends on several factors like testing condition,
loading rate, type of aggregate, size and shape of specimen, and capping material (Popovics
1973). The present experimental data clearly confirms dependence of strain at peak stress (i.e.,
ε 0 ) on f c as shown in Figure 6.3. It can be seen from Figure 6.3 that strain at peak stress
increases from 400 to 2600 micro strains as the compressive strength increases from 6 to 55
MPa for various concrete specimens considered.

To study the influence of curing technique on the strain at peak stress, a regression analysis
was carried out. This analysis can predict the compressive strength of concrete based upon
strain at peak stress. It may be seen that the Equation 6.2, obtained by regression analysis, best
represents relationship between compressive strength of concrete and strain at peak stress for
the range of characteristics compressive strength considered in present study with coefficient
of correlation of 0.7892 and standard deviation of 9.87. The analysis incorporates 399 cubes of
150 mm size, cast using M20, M30 and M40 grades of concrete, 336 cubes of 100 mm size,
and 108 cylinders of 100 mm X 150 mm cast using M20 and M30 grade concrete (Appendix
A, Section A-6).
f c = 98537ε 0
1.2064 (6.2)

where ε 0 = strain at peak stress in mm/mm and f c in MPa.

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Compressive Strength

40
(MPa)

20
y = 98537x1.2064
R2 = 0.7892
0
0.0000 0.0005 0.0010 0.0015 0.0020 0.0025
Strain at peak stress (mm/mm)

Figure 6.3 Strain at peak stress as function of compressive strength

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It was observed that curing technique affects strain at peak stress of concrete specimens in
terms of extent of hardening. For hardened concrete it is desired to have lesser value of strain
at peak stress. As curing through different colored polythene sheets change the mechanism of
hardening compared to conventional methods of curing, therefore during the first few days of
hydration very high values of strains corresponding to peak stress can be expected. The strain
at peak compressive stress (peak strain) changes with age and therefore the corresponding
increasing strength.

Increase in peak strain was observed for most of specimens from 7-days to 28-days. After 28-
days, very small increase in peak strain was observed which demonstrated completion in
hardening of concrete at this age. While, some specimens even produced lesser peak strain
values at 183-days and 365-days than peak strain at 28-days. As these specimens could not
show much gain in compressive strength after a period of 183-days. In very few cases, gain in
compressive strength was not observed after 28-days. M20 grade concrete cubes of 150 mm,
cured for 7-days, compressive strength determination at 7-days could only show maximum
compressive strength of 18.89 MPa when cured through black polythene sheet produced lesser
peak strain than cubes cured through ponding. Similar trend was observed when same type of
cubes were cured for 3-days. Curing through black polythene sheet produced relatively lesser
peak strain for 100 mm cubes and 100 mm diameter cylinders also in proportion to the
compressive strength developed by these specimens. M20 grade 100 mm diameter cylinder
cured with red polythene sheet for 3-days produced compressive strength of 12.84 MPa having
peak strain 0.000593, while cylinder cured with black polythene from the same set produced
compressive strength of 13.45MPa with peak strain of 0.00055. M30 grade 150 mm size
cubes also demonstrated similar trend. Cubes cured with black polythene sheet for period of 7-
days resulted in lower peak strain. In case of 100 mm size cubes of M30 grade cured with
black polythene sheet produced minimum peak strain, although difference in average
compressive strength of cubes from this set was observed to be lesser. M40 grade cubes of
150 mm size produced highest compressive strength of 42.12 MPa when cured with black
polythene sheets for period of 7-days and produced lesser peak strain of 0.0017, compared to
cubes cured through sprinkling, where this value was found to be 0.0018 with compressive
strength of 40.15 MPa.

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In case of M20 grade concrete cubes of 150 mm size cured for 3-days, compressive stress-
strain response determined at 28-days, cubes cured thorough ponding produced highest
compressive strength of 35.19 MPa with average peak strain of 0.0011, while cubes cured
with yellow polythene sheet produced lesser peak strain of 0.00068 for compressive strength
of 27.11 MPa. Similar trend can be seen when similar cubes cured for 7-days with ponding
produced highest compressive strength 35.7 MPa with average peak strain of 0.0015, curing
through white polythene sheet produced compressive strength of 29.48 MPa with average
peak strain of 0.00139. 100 mm size cubes of M20 grade concrete cured for 7-days,
compressive stress-strain response studied at 28-days, white polythene sheet curing resulted in
compressive strength of 26.67 MPa with average peak strain of 0.00099, while these values
were found to be 35.33 MPa and 0.0011 respectively when cured through ponding. 100 mm
diameter cylinders from the same set of concrete cured through red colored polythene sheet
resulted in lesser value of average peak strain for higher value of compressive strength.
However, similar results were not obtained in case of M30 grade 150 mm size cubes cured for
3- and 7-days. These cubes when cured through ponding resulted in highest compressive
strength a period of 28-days having a value of 36.74 MPa and 38 MPa respectively. These
cubes had average peak strain of 0.0012 and 0.0014. From the same set, curing through red
polythene sheet for a period of 7-days produced average peak strain of 0.00139 with
compressive strength of 33.63MPa. For 100 mm size cubes from the same set cured for a
period of 3- and 7-days, blue polythene sheet curing produced lesser peak strain compared to
sprinkling and curing through some other colored polythene sheets. Similar trend of
development of peak strain continued for cylinders of same set also. M30 grade concrete
cylinders of 100 mm diameter cured for 7-days through blue polythene sheet produced least
peak strain for equivalent compressive strength among the same set specimens. M40 grade
150 mm cubes also followed same trend. These cubes when cured for 7-days, compressive
stress-strain response determined at 28-day showed highest compressive strength for cubes
cured through blue polythene sheets compared to cubes cured through other colors. For these
cubes, average peak strain was found to be lesser for higher compressive strength.

M20 grade 150 mm size cubes when cured for 3- and 7-days produced lesser value of peak
strain at a period of 183-days when cured through blue and black polythene sheets

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respectively. These cubes when cured for 3 days produced compressive strength of 28.15 MPa
with relatively lesser peak strain of 0.00111 thorough blue polythene sheets. Similarly, when
cured for 7-days produced compressive strength of 28.67 MPa with peak strain of 0.00115
thorough black polythene sheet. The greater value of peak strain was observed in case of
cubes cured through ponding. Curing through ponding for 3-and 7-days produced compressive
strengths of 27.70 MPa and 27.93 MPa with peak strain values of 0.00118 and 0.00118
respectively. Similar trend continued when compressive strain-stress response for these cubes
was studied at a period of 365-days. Cubes cured through blue polythene sheet for 3- and 7-
days produced peak strain of 0.00114 and 0.00111 with compressive strength of 29.11 MPa
and 29.29 MPa respectively. The highest compressive strength for these sets was achieved
through black polythene sheet curing having a value of 29.7 MPa when cured for 3-days, and
thorough red polythene sheet curing having a value of 29.93 MPa when cured for 7-days.
Smaller cubes of 100 mm size from the same set when cured through black polythene sheet for
3-days produced compressive strength of 24 MPa with peak strain value of 0.00091 at a period
of 183-days. While cubes cured through sprinkling and ponding produced compressive
strength of 25.5 and 25.83 MPa with peak strain value of 0.00093 and 0.00095. Similar cubes
at a period of 365-days produced smallest peak strain of order 0.00094 when cured through
black polythene sheet with relatively higher compressive strength from the same set. 100 mm
diameter cylinders from the same set produced a compressive strength of 14.06 MPa with
peak strain value of 0.00065 at a period of 183-days when cured thorough white polythene
sheet for 3-days. M20 grade 100 mm diameter cylinders produced higher compressive strength
at a period of 365-days with relatively small value of peak strain when cured through black
polythene sheet for 7-days. It gained compressive strength of 14.06 MPa with peak strain of
0.00069, while cylinders cured through ponding gained lesser compressive strength of the
order 13.45 MPa with peak strain of 0.00075 in the same set of specimens.

M30 grade 150 mm size cubes when cured with black polythene sheet for 3-days, compressive
stress-strain response determined at a period of 183-days produced compressive strength of
34.22 MPa with peak strain of 0.00135. From the same set, when cubes were cured using
white polythene sheet, they produced peak strain of 0.00139 with equivalent compressive
strength. However, when similar cubes were cured using ponding, they produced higher

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compressive strength of the order 46.96 MPa, with peak strain of 0.00168 representing the
elastic nature of the specimens. Similar cubes when cured for 7-days were observed to
produce lesser peak strain when cured through white polythene sheet. This particular trend
continued for similar cubes when stress-strain response studied at 365-day for period of curing
3-days and 7-days. Cubes cured with white colored polythene sheet produced lesser peak
strain for equivalent or greater compressive strength showing hardened state of concrete.
White polythene sheet curing performed better in terms of lesser peak strain for 100 mm size
cubes also from this particular set of specimens. It produced least value of peak strain of the
order 0.00057 and 0.00109 for the comparable compressive strength of the same set, when
cured for 3-days and 7-days respectively. For 100 mm diameter cylinders of same grade,
when stress-strain response studied at 365-day, curing though black polythene sheet for a
period of 3-and 7-days produced higher compressive strength with smaller value of peak
strain.

M40 grade concrete cubes of 150 mm size showed a different trend in terms of values of peak
strain for corresponding compressive strength. For these cubes curing thorough white and blue
polythene sheet for a period of 7-days was observed to produce lesser value of peak strain of
the order 0.00156 and 0.00152 for compressive strength of 51.64 MPa and 48.40 MPa
respectively. Ponding technique of curing for these specimens produced highest compressive
strength for this set with higher value of peak strain of the order of 0.00169 showing the
elasticity of the specimens.

Therefore, curing technique has influence on the rate or extent of hardening of a concrete
specimen. This extent of hardening is studied in terms of strain at peak stress for various
concrete specimens cast using three different grades of concrete. It can be observed that curing
though colored polythene sheet helps in hardening of concrete specimens by sealing the water
inside the specimen and increasing the rate of hydration which can also be observed thorough
difference in the shape of stress-strain responses determined at 7-, 28-, 183- and 365-days for
these specimens.

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Concrete specimens when cured with colored polythene sheets produced lesser values of peak
strain compared to curing through conventional curing techniques. The values achieved for
peak strain were in proportion to the compressive strength of specimen but for a given set of
casting, curing through colored polythene sheet was observed helpful in hardening of concrete
specimens by producing lesser value of peak strain.

Based upon above analysis a range of minimum and maximum compressive strength and
corresponding values of peak strain achieved by each curing type can be decided. Curing
through ponding and sprinkling produced a wide range of compressive strength for various
categories of specimens. But, minimum value of peak strain attained by these curing
techniques was observed to be 0.00044 and 0.00046 respectively. Curing through blue
polythene sheet produced relatively lesser value of peak strain of the order 0.00042 for the
equivalent range of compressive strength. In this manner, curing through black polythene
sheet was also found helpful. It also attained lesser value of peak strain of the order 0.00046
for higher value of compressive strength. Curing through red polythene sheet resulted in
relatively higher values of minimum and maximum peak strains for comparatively lesser range
of compressive strength. It reached a maximum peak strain of 0.00242 for compressive
strength of 49.8 MPa, while these values in case of curing through blue and black polythene
sheets were 0.00212 and 0.00206 for compressive strengths of 48.4 MPa and 43.2 MPa
respectively. Curing through yellow and white polythene sheet attained intermediate range of
values of compressive strength and peak strain.

6.3 COMPARISON WITH HOGNESTAD’S AND CARREIRA-CHU’S MODEL

The experimental data obtained for generation of stress-strain curves have been compared to
previously developed Hognestad model and Carreira-Chu’s model to verify if these models
can predict nature of curve when concrete specimens are cured using curing techniques other
than conventional techniques. Figure 6.4 shows a considerable difference in the shape of the
stress-strain curves for three different grades of concrete. In the present study, a particular set
of curves is utilized to compare the analytical models proposed by Hognestad (1951) and
Carreira-Chu (1985).

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 60
50 M20

Stress (MPa)
40
30 M30
20
10 M40

0
0 0.0002 0.0004 0.0006 0.0008 0.001 0.0012 0.0014 0.0016
Strain (mm/mm)

Figure 6.4 Typical stress-strain curves for three different grades of concrete of a particular set

6.3.1 Hognestad’s Model

Hognestad (1951) proposed a second-degree parabola equation as represented by the
following mathematical form;
2 (6.3)
' ε ε
fc = fc 2 −
ε0 ε0

where, ε = strain at a particular stress in mm/mm and ε 0 = strain at peak stress in mm/mm.
The predictions of Equation 6.3 are compared with the experimental data in Figure 6.5. The
predicted curves being obtained by using an experimental strain at peak stress for each
individual specimen instead of a fixed value of 0.002 as suggested. It can be observed that
Equation 6.3 gives good predictions for the compressive strength till peak stress. The equation
is mainly proposed for normal strength concrete (i.e., compressive strength less than 60 MPa).
The equation is not applicable for higher strength concrete.
60
M20
Stress (MPa)

40 M30
M40
M20 Predicted
20
M30 Predicted
M40 Predicted
0
0 0.0002 0.0004 0.0006 0.0008 0.001 0.0012 0.0014 0.0016
Strain (mm/mm)

Figure 6.5 Comparison of Hognestad’s model with experimental data

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6.3.2 Carreira and Chu’s Model
The model propsed by Carreira and Chu (1985) is a general form of serpentine curve to
represent the complete stress-strain relationship of plain concrete in compression. The
equation is represented as:

ε
β
' ε0
fc = fc β
ε (6.4)
β −1 +
ε0

where β = a material parameter that depends on the shape of the stress-strain diagram. It is
given by;

1 (6.5)
β=
1 − ( f c / ε 0 E it )

Equation 6.4 and 6.5 are defined in terms of three parameters only: f c , ε 0 , and β or E it .
These parameters can be easily determined from the compression test. These two equations
have limits of the perfectly elastic material when β → ∞ (or f c / ε 0 ≅ E it ) and of the perfectly

elastic material when β = 1.0 , thus providing a nonlinear transition for these two extreme
cases. A similar form of equation has been used by many investigators. For example, the
equation proposed by Desayi and Krishnan (1964) is a particular case of Equation 6.4 and 6.5
when β = 2, while β =3 refers to equation proposed by Sinha et al. (1964). The same
equation was used by Popovics (1973) with β = 0.058 f c + 1.0 to describe the curve till peak
stress. In the present study, the β -value has been calculated separately for each curve from
the respective E it and f c by Equation 6.5. In Figure 6.6, the experimental curves are compared
with the prediction proposed by Equation 6.4. It can be observed that Equation 6.4 gives a
fairly good prediction for the stress-strain curves till peak stress for all the three grades of
concrete. Although the prediction is more pronounced in M40 grade of concrete.

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 60
M20
50
M30
Stress (MPa) 40 M40
M20 Predicted
30 M30 Predicted
M40 Predicted
20

10

0
0 0.0002 0.0004 0.0006 0.0008 0.001 0.0012 0.0014 0.0016
Strain (mm/mm)

Figure 6.6 Comparison of Carreira and Chu’s model with experimental data

6.4 MODULUS OF ELASTICITY

The modulus of elasticity of concrete represents one of the most important mechanical
properties of concrete. It acts as a useful bridge between stress and corresponding strain or
between force and deformations. Even though concrete has nonlinear stress-strain behavior,
modulus of elasticity is important material property to design and analyze concrete structures.
While establishing the modulus of elasticity, its basis (secant, chord and tangent) should be
clearly defined because, for the same concrete, the values would differ significantly due to
their definitions (Rashid et al. 2002). Modulus of elasticity depends on a variety of factors.
These include the properties of mortar, properties and proportions of coarse aggregates, size
and shape of specimens, wetness or dryness of concrete at the time of testing, rate of loading,
and method of obtaining the deformations. The determination of modulus of elasticity is
laborious and time-consuming process. Therefore, for quality control testing of concrete
generally compressive strength of concrete is determined and a relationship expressing
modulus of elasticity as a function of compressive strength is generally sought for design
purposes.

The chord modulus of elasticity is given by the slope of a line drawn between two points on
the stress-strain curve. In this case, instead of origin, the line is drawn from a point
representing a longitudinal strain of 0.00005 µ mm/mm (or 50 micro strains) to the point that
corresponds to 40 percent of the ultimate load as recommended by ASTM C469. Shifting of

115