Marble behaviour under monotonic and cyclic loading in tension

The tensile behaviour of marble at failure is analysed. A series of monotonic and cyclic bending tests were carried out in the laboratory on geometrically similar specimens of different size. The strain distribution was monitored with strain gauges and laser interferometry techniques. Three and four point bending configuration was considered. It is shown that cyclic loads in a three point bending configuration induce permanent tensile deformation.