Title: Mesoscopic modelling of strain localization in concrete

Author(s): Ł. Skarżyński, J. Tejchman

Publication: KILW

Volume: 55

Issue: 4

Appears on pages(s): 503-526

Keywords: characteristic length, heterogeneous material, Representative Volume Element (RVE), damagemechanics, meso-scale

DOI:

Date: 10/1/2009

Abstract:
The paper deals with strain localization in concrete subjected to uniaxial tension. The material was described at the meso-scale as a random heterogeneous three-phase one. All three phases were modelled with an isotropic scalar damage constitutive model. To ensure the mesh-independent numerical results, to preserve the well-posedness of the boundary value problem, and to describe properly strain localization in concrete, the model was enhanced by a characteristic length of micro-structure by means of the non-local theory. The effect of a specimen size, random distribution of aggregate, aggregate density, characteristic length and non-locality range on both strain localization and stress-strain curves was numerically investigated. The existence of a representative volume element (RVE) was discussed.