Mesoscopic investigation of size effect in notched concrete beams: The role of fracture process zone
•Concrete mesoscale model is enhanced by nonlocal treatment for mesh objective.•The model is verified and validated for both global mechanical response and local fracture process zone evolution.•Theoretical model relating fracture process zone and size dependent strength is proposed.•Mechanisms unde...
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| Published in: | Engineering fracture mechanics 2019-05, Vol.212, p.136-152 |
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| Main Authors: | , |
| Format: | Article |
| Language: | eng |
| Subjects: | |
| Online Access: | Get full text |
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| Summary: | •Concrete mesoscale model is enhanced by nonlocal treatment for mesh objective.•The model is verified and validated for both global mechanical response and local fracture process zone evolution.•Theoretical model relating fracture process zone and size dependent strength is proposed.•Mechanisms underlying the size effect are discussed.
A comprehensive mesoscopic investigation has been conducted into the classic topic of size effect, using notched plain concrete beams subjected to three-point bending as a test bed. The concrete beams are modelled as random heterogeneous material containing three components, coarse aggregates, mortar and the interface transition zone. Mesoscopic numerical simulations using a 2D mesoscale continuum damage-based model, enhanced by a nonlocal treatment, is used to capture the whole fracture process in concrete materials. Both global and local numerical results are then examined and verified with relevant experimental evidence from the literature. A stress field interaction theory based on the strip yield model is proposed to interpret the size effect phenomenon and the role of detailed fracture process zone features is discussed accordingly. |
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| ISSN: | 0013-7944 1873-7315 |