Effects of the embedding of cohesive zone model on the mesoscopic fracture behavior of Concrete: A case study of uniaxial tension and compression tests

Abstract

The application of the Cohesive Zone Model (CZM) in concrete meso-mechanics solves the nonlinear problem of material crack tip well. At present, the application methods of CZM in concrete mesoscopic models include the bond mechanics characterization of the aggregate-mortar interface transition zone (ITZ) and the characterization of fracture characteristics between material micro-elements. From this, two different numerical models were derived—the combined Finite Discrete Element (FDEM) model and the Cohesive Finite Element (CFEM) model. To evaluate the difference between the two numerical models and the traditional Finite Element (FEM) model in simulating concrete mechanical behavior and crack propagation, a 3D concrete mesostructure modeling algorithm was developed in this study, including innovations in gravitational self-compacting of polyhedral aggregates. After that, the FDEM model and the CFEM model were successfully constructed based on the FEM model. Through uniaxial compression and tensile numerical simulations, it was found that the CFEM model is more in line with the theoretical and experimental mechanisms in the characterization of the static mechanical behavior and fracture process of concrete. The fracture failure angle variable defined by the CFEM model revealed that the compressed concrete material exhibited better strength and toughness due to a higher damage degree and more energy-consuming cracking mechanism. The above findings to a certain extent promote the future development of CZM in the field of concrete meso-mechanics.