The initial, almost linear part which

corresponds to an elastic behaviour.

The non linearity comes when stress level
exceeds about one-third to one-half of the
maximum
Adjacent bond cracks at the interface of
mortar and aggregates, caused by the
different stiffness of the two materials, start
to bridge in the form of mortar cracks, due to
stress concentrations at the tips of bond
cracks.

At 75 to 80% of the ultimate stress - Cracks
propagate rapidly in both the matrix
(cement paste) and the transition zone.
Failure occurs when the cracks join together
and become continuous.
The descending part, along which strain
increases while stress decreases
(descending branch). This phenomenon,
called strain softening is attributed to the
unstable propagation of the internal cracks
parallel to the loading.

For Higher strength concretes, the compressive
stresses drop faster than those of lower
strength concretes after passing the peak
strengths.
Lower strength concretes have more ductility
than higher strength concretes.

The Youngs modulus of elasticity is a
constant, defined as the ratio, within the linear
elastic range, of axial stress to axial strain,
under uniaxial loading.

Static Modulus
Secant modulus is mostly used in civil
engineering It is obtained by calculating the
slope of the line linking the initial point (the
origin) and the point considered (usually at
about 1/3
rd
of the maximum compressive
stress).
Tangent Modulus - The slope of a line drawn
tangent to the stress-strain curve at any
point on the curve.
Dynamic Modulus - The modulus of elasticity
corresponding to a small instantaneous
strain. It can be approximated by the tangent
modulus drawn at the origin.
The Code (Cl. 6.2.3.1) gives the following
empirical expression for the static modulus
E
c
(in MPa units) in terms of the characteristic
cube strength fck (in MPa or N/mm
2
units):

Effects of moisture condition

Dry condition elastic modulus but,
compressive strength .

Effects of Aggregate properties

Porosity - An aggregates with a low porosity has a high
modulus of elasticity. The elastic modulus of concrete is
affected by the volume fraction of the aggregate as well as the
elastic modulus of the aggregate.
Effects of cement matrix
The lower the porosity of the cement paste,
the higher the elastic modulus of the
cement paste.

The higher the elastic modulus of the
cement paste, the higher the elastic
modulus of the concrete.

Effects of transition zone
The void spaces and the micro-cracks in the
transition play a major role in affecting the
stress-strain behaviour of concrete.
The transition zone characteristics affect the
elastic modulus more than it affects the
compressive strength of concrete.