Influence of damage evolution on the failure surface of concrete

Abstract

The damage which represents the alternation of internal state of material was introduced to concrete strength theory according to the theory of mechanics of continuous medium and the failure criterion of deteriorated concrete was disccussions. In the tests, ultrasonic velocity is used to establish the damage variable and to establish the damage-coupled failure criterion of concrete under freeze-thaw. The results show that the failure surface is gradually shrinking with the increase of freeze-thaw times. Furthermore, by the comparison between the theoretical data and the testing data from the literature, the rationality of strength theory proposed in the paper acquire confirmation. The damage-coupled failure criterion presented here can indicate the influence of damage evolution on the failure surface of concrete.