Impulsive local damage analyses of concrete structure by the distinct element method

Abstract

Structural damage induced by impulsive loading consist of local damage caused by local discontinuous behavior such as penetration, perforation, scabbing and spalling, and global damage caused by global structural responses. The global elasto-plastic structural response of concrete structures have been simulated by the Finite Element Method (FEM) or the Boundary Element Method (BEM). However, local damage has only been evaluated by a few empirical formulas based on experimental results. In 1971, the Distinct Element Method (DEM) was introduced. In this paper, the authors applied the DEM to simulate local damage of concrete structures. The numerical results were compared with empirical formulas and experimental results.