A two-scale numerical homogenization scheme for a description of the 2D behaviour of concrete under bending was proposed. At the meso-level, concrete was described with the discrete method (DEM), and at the macro-level with the finite element method (FEM). The…
A two-scale numerical homogenization scheme for a description of the 2D behaviour of concrete under bending was proposed. At the meso-level, concrete was described with the discrete method (DEM), and at the macro-level with the finite element method (FEM). The average stress response of a discrete micro-structure was obtained in each macroscopic Gauss point of the FE mesh as the result of the macroscopic deformation history imposed on the representative volume element (RVE). Discrete element simulations were performed with concrete specimens under compression and tension. In addition, three-point bending laboratory tests were carried out on notched concrete beams of a different size wherein the influence of the mix type, aggregate shape, volume of aggregate, aggregate size and sieve curve was investigated. The width and shape of a fracture process zone (FPZ) and crack width were measured using the digital image correlation (DIC) technique.