Fracture modelling of plain concrete using non-local fracture mechanics and a graph-based computational framework

Abstract

In this article, we developed a thermodynamically consistent non-local microcracking model for quasi-brittle materials with application to concrete. The model is implemented using a novel graph-based finite element analysis (GraFEA) approach that allows for (i) the probabilistic modeling of the growth and coalescence of microcracks, (ii) the modeling of crack closure using a kinematics-based approach, and (iii) the modeling of rate effects on microcracking. The developed theoretical model and its computational framework is also implemented into the dynamics-based Abaqus/Explicit finite element program through a vectorized user-material subroutine interface. We further demonstrate the procedure for obtaining the parameters (including the non-local intrinsic material length scale, which governs the fracture process) and consequently validate the simulations with independent experimental results.

Development of a New Uplift Pile with Prestressed Semi-Bonded Composite Anchor

“…However, these theoretical and numerical studies have given us a lot of inspiration. For example, in recent years, scholars such as Thamburaja et al [29,30] have successfully applied numerical methods to simulate the local cracking problem of concrete. If these numerical simulation methods are applied in this study to simulate the cracking phenomenon of the pile body accurately, it will bring great convenience to future research work on the new piles.…”