Abstract
The base force element method (BFEM) on damage mechanics is used to analyze the compressive strength, the size effects of compressive strength, and fracture process of concrete at mesolevel. The concrete is taken as three-phase composites consisting of coarse aggregate, hardened cement mortar, and interfacial transition zone (ITZ) on mesolevel. The random aggregate model is used to simulate the mesostructure of concrete. The mechanical properties and fracture process of concrete under uniaxial compression loading are simulated using the BFEM on damage mechanics. The simulation results agree with the test results. This analysis method is the new way for investigating fracture mechanism and numerical simulation of mechanical properties for concrete.
Highlights
Concrete is considered as heterogeneous composites whose mechanical performance is much related with the microstructure of material
The characteristics of the base force element method (BFEM) compared with the traditional finite element method (FEM) are as follows
The expression of the stiffness matrix is a precise expression, and it is not necessary to introduce Gauss’ integral for calculating the stiffness coefficient at a point. This expression of stiffness matrix can be used for calculating the stiffness of various elements with a unified method
Summary
Concrete is considered as heterogeneous composites whose mechanical performance is much related with the microstructure of material. Schlangen et al [3, 4] applied the lattice model to simulate the failure mechanism of concrete. Liu and Wang [5] adopted the random aggregate model to simulate cracking process of concrete using FEM. Peng et al [6] adopted the random aggregate model to simulate the mechanical properties of rolled compacted concrete on mesolevel using FEM. The base force element method (BFEM) on potential energy principle was used to analyze recycled aggregate concrete on mesolevel [27]. The base force element method (BFEM) on damage mechanics is used to analyze the size effect on compressive strength for concrete at mesolevel.
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