The finite element technique simulating in-plane shear mode, Mode II, has been used to analyse fracture behaviour in a short shear beam specimen in plain concrete. The analysis incorporates the influence of fracture behaviour resulting from variation in the position of pre-cut slots in the short shear beam specimens. The values predicted by the simulation procedure are found to be in close agreement with those obtained from experiment.
The fracture toughness values, KIIC determined for these shear beam specimens using the compliance method are found to be lower than those obtained from the split-cube test which corresponds to tensile mode, Mode I.