Analysis of the Effect of Initial Crack Length on Concrete Members Using Extended Finite Element Method

Abstract

The extended failure process of the prefabricated one-side notched three-point bending concrete beam was simulated by the extended finite element method. Combined with the double-K fracture criterion, the influence of the initial crack length on the fracture parameters of the three-point curved concrete beam and the influence of the initial crack on the concrete structure were studied. In addition, the dynamic response state and crack propagation process of Koyna concrete gravity dam under seismic conditions are simulated, and the influence of initial crack length on these factors is studied. The results show that the existence and length of the initial crack have a certain impact on the development of cracks in concrete members. Under the action of earthquake, the stiffness of the concrete gravity dam is reduced, and the response period of the horizontal and vertical displacement of the top of the gravity dam is not significantly correlated with the initial crack length. However, the opening range of the crack increases as the initial crack length increases. When the initial crack length is 0 m, 0.5 m and 1 m, the crack opening upstream of the gravity dam is 1.26 cm, 1.61 cm and 1.86 cm respectively; the downstream crack opening is 1.73 cm, 2.35 cm and 2.53 cm.