Durability prediction method for building materials

The prediction of durability can be approached from the perspective of the thermal fluctuation concept of fracture and deformation of solids. One of the drawbacks of this concept is the high labor intensity involved in determining the thermal fluctuation constants of the generalized Zhurkov equation, as well as the significant errors that may occur in their determination. The aim of this study is to develop methodologies that address and mitigate these shortcomings. The main scientific approaches employed are the hypothetical method and experimental studies (determining the durability of solids under non-destructive stress conditions). A description is provided of a developed methodology for determining thermal fluctuation constants based on a single straight line and one control point. The advantage of this approach is that it reduces the number of required experimental investigations by almost a factor of three. In the classical case, 15 points must be determined, whereas the proposed method requires only six. The main disadvantage of the method is the reduction in the accuracy of determining thermal fluctuation constants. Therefore, it is recommended for cases where approximate values are sufficient and minimal labor costs are desired. A description is also provided of the so-called “reference beam” method. This methodology is based on bringing the obtained fan-shaped family of straight lines converging at a single point (pole) to a selected reference family and determining thermal fluctuation constants using a system of conversion coefficients. Another proposed methodology makes it possible to determine the durability of solids without explicitly determining the thermal fluctuation constants. This method is based on a theoretically derived formula from the generalized Zhurkov equation for direct durability evaluation. The latter two methodologies increase the reliability of durability prediction for solids from the standpoint of the thermal fluctuation concept of fracture and deformation. The first of these methodologies significantly reduces the labor intensity of determining the thermal fluctuation constants of the generalized Zhurkov equation.