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The paper describes investigation results on fracture in notched concrete beams under quasi‐static three‐point bending by the X‐ray micro‐computed tomography. The two‐dimensional (2D) and three‐dimensional image procedures were used. Attention was paid to width, length, height and shape of cracks along beam depth. In addition, the displacements on the surface of concrete beams during the deformation process were measured with the 2D digital image correlation technique in order to detect strain localisation before a discrete crack occurred. The 2D fracture patterns in beams were numerically simulated with the finite‐element method using an isotropic damage constitutive model enhanced by a characteristic length of micro‐structure. Concrete was modelled as a random heterogeneous four‐phase material composed of aggregate, cement matrix, interfacial transitional zones and air voids. The advantages of the X‐ray micro‐computed tomography were outlined.

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The paper presents the results of experimental and theoretical investigations of the width of the fracture process zone (FPZ) on the surface of notched concrete beams during quasi‐static three‐point bending. To measure two‐dimensional deformations on the surface of beams, a Digital Image Correlation (DIC) technique was used. Laboratory tests were performed with different notched concrete beams. The experiments were simulated with two different isotropic continuum crack models under two‐dimensional conditions: an elasto‐plastic and a damage one with non‐local softening.

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