The authors studied the fracture mechanical properties under half-symmetric loading in this paper. The stress distribution around the crack tip and the stress intensity factor of three kinds of notched specimens under half symmetric loading were compared. The maximum tensile stress σ_max of double notch specimens was much greater than that of single notch specimens and the maximum shear stress τ_max was almost equal, which means that the single notch specimens were more prone to Mode II fractures. The intensity factors K_II of central notch specimens were very small compared with other specimens and they induced Mode I fractures. For both double notch and single notch specimens, K_II was kept at a constant level and did not change with the change of a/h, and K_II was much larger than K_I. K_II has the potential to reach its fracture toughness K_IIC before K_I and Mode II fractures occurred. Rock-like materials were introduced to produce single notch specimens. Test results show that the crack had been initiated at the crack tip and propagated along the original notch face, and a Mode II fracture occurred. There was no relationship between the peak load and the original notch length. The average value of K_IIC was about 0.602 MPa×m^1/2, and KIIC was about 3.8 times K_IC. The half symmetric loading test of single notch specimens was one of the most effective methods to obtain a true Mode II fracture and determine Mode fracture toughness.

The old-new concrete interface is the weakest part in the composite structure, and there are a large number of microcracks on the interface. In order to study the mode II fracture performance of the bonding surface of old-new concrete, the effect of planting rebar and basalt fiber is investigated. Nine Z-shaped old-new concrete composite specimens with initial cracks are made. Nine shear fracture load-displacement curves are obtained, and the failure process and interface fracture are discussed. On this basis, the mode II fracture toughness and fracture energy are obtained. The regression equations for fracture toughness and fracture energy are deduced with analysis of variance (ANOVA). The results show that fracture toughness and fracture energy increase with the increase of planting rebar number and basalt fiber content. With the increase of the planting rebar number, mode II fracture toughness and fracture energy increase more significantly. Planting rebar is the major factor for mode II fracture performance.