The potential impact of size effects on compressive strength for the estimation of the Young’s modulus of concrete

Concrete, a highly heterogeneous material, exhibits clear size-dependence of its compressive strength. As the Young’s modulus is generally assumed to be proportional strength, this would, in principle, implies dependence on sample size for modulus. However, elastic directly related linear deformation, while strength results from strongly non-linear processes due progressive development damage and microcracking. In other words, modulus, material-dependent parameter, should not depend size, unlike Here we show, an extensive experimental program including non-destructive destructive tests carried out 527 cylindrical concrete specimens with three different mixtures four sizes, size-independence properties regardless mixes. This full contrast that (i) there no direct proportionality between (linear property) (non-linear concrete, (ii) use empirical expressions given building codes (e.g. ACI 318-05; EN 1992) estimating can lead incorrect designs.