Abstract
The effective analysis of the nonlinear behavior of cement-based engineering structures not only demands physically-reliable models, but also computationally-efficient algorithms. Based on a continuum interface element formulation that is suitable to capture complex cracking phenomena in concrete materials and structures, an adaptive mesh processing technique is proposed for computational simulations of plain and fiber-reinforced concrete structures to progressively disintegrate the initial finite element mesh and to add degenerated solid elements into the interfacial gaps. In comparison with the implementation where the entire mesh is processed prior to the computation, the proposed adaptive cracking model allows simulating the failure behavior of plain and fiber-reinforced concrete structures with remarkably reduced computational expense.
Highlights
Concrete is one of the most important construction materials due to its well-recognized advantages, such as low cost, easy moldability and high strength under compression
High density finite element discretizations are required in general to reduce the influence of the mesh on the computed crack topology, we propose an adaptive crack model for plain and fiber-reinforced concrete structures, in which the mesh is progressively modified during the analysis as fracture proceeds
A multilevel modeling framework previously developed for the analysis of fiber-reinforced concrete was implemented in an adaptive computational crack model using continuum interface solid elements (ISEs) for 2D and 3D simulations of fiber-reinforced concrete structures
Summary
Concrete is one of the most important construction materials due to its well-recognized advantages, such as low cost, easy moldability and high strength under compression. As compared to conventional steel-reinforced concrete, fiber-reinforced concrete (FRC), characterized by high post-cracking ductility or even strain-hardening behavior accompanied by distributed cracks at a small crack width, can be employed to control the development of localized cracks in local areas such as concrete cover and corner regions. Modern FRC has experienced a fast development since the 1960s, leading to a variety of FRC material designs with different fiber materials, geometries and performance (see, e.g., [1] for an overview). FRC is playing an increasingly important role in structural engineering as it partially or fully replaces traditional reinforced concrete. An example for a complete replacement of reinforcing steel is the design of segmented tunnel linings made of FRC [2]
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