Gafur, I.A.Anilkumar, A.Parappalli, A.N.Srinivasan, V.2026-02-062024Lecture Notes in Civil Engineering, 2024, Vol.528 LNCE, , p. 861-87323662557https://doi.org/10.1007/978-981-97-4844-0_67https://idr.nitk.ac.in/handle/123456789/28927Understanding the fracturing characteristics of construction materials under varying environmental conditions is very important in considering the safety of infrastructural facilities for sustainable civil structures. Concrete has been extensively used in construction, and with recent advancements in offshore structures, its strength in adverse conditions is pivotal and hence requires significant attention. This study investigates the variation in the mechanical properties and fracturing behaviour of M25 concrete cubes under different environmental conditions. The cubes were subjected to five different conditions: heating, saturation, and a combination of heating and saturation. Saturation was carried out separately using water and brine solutions. Three cubes were cast for each condition. The physical properties included density and Ultrasonic pulse velocity, followed by mechanical testing for strength. Acoustic emission monitoring was carried out simultaneously along the mechanical testing. Acoustic emission techniques are used to visualize fracturing behaviour of concrete cubes. Fracture thresholds are established to find crack closure and elastic region, and regions of stable crack propagation and unstable crack propagation. The results show that the combination of heating and fluid saturation significantly impacts the physico-mechanical properties of concrete, reducing its compressive strength and increasing its susceptibility to fracture. © The Author(s), under exclusive license to Springer Nature Singapore Pte Ltd. 2024.Acoustic emissionConcreteFracture thresholdMechanical strengthThermal impact