Continuous models (whether standard or enriched) discrete crack models are in general considered as alternatives for analysing concrete structures under various loading. This paper discusses models from the standpoint of material observation, and proposes a strategy based upon the complementarity…
Continuous models (whether standard or enriched) discrete crack models are in general considered as alternatives for analysing concrete structures under various loading. This paper discusses models from the standpoint of material observation, and proposes a strategy based upon the complementarity of both approaches: global information as loading capacity, global displacements, zones irreversible evolution in the structure occur etc., can be accessed continuous models, which account for the evolution of the material during the cracking process and irreversible deformations, both associated to the same physical phenomenon, i.e. cracking. More precise information as crack-length, crack-spacing, crack-width etc. need to be accessed by a discrete crack model which abandons the concept of a representative elementary volume for the modelling of concrete cracking in the finite element analysis material and structural failure. The proposed strategy is compared with a one stage strategy enriched continuum models. An example for each type of model is presented. 1271 Modelling of of concrete structures aims to account for a number of physical mechanisms which occur over a wide range of material description. They can be summarised as follows: submitted quasi-static loading cracking process includes three principal stages: creation of microcracks randomly distributed throughout the structure which is governed by the heterogeneity of concrete, percolation these microcracks to form one or more ..., •• ,,c .... ...., ...... ..,. this localization of cracking is governed by the ,-,-..,,._. ... " conditions structure, propagation macrocracks until the appearance of a failure mechanism.