The numerical implementation of discrete approach is hampered by the need for letting the cracks follow the element boundaries, thereby requiring the introduction of additional nodal points or rearrangement of the original mesh. To overcome this disadvantage, a new method,…
The numerical implementation of discrete approach is hampered by the need for letting the cracks follow the element boundaries, thereby requiring the introduction of additional nodal points or rearrangement of the original mesh. To overcome this disadvantage, a new method, in which the discrete model represented by rods is embedded into the finite element, is proposed in this paper. The behaviors of the rods are based on the fracture-oriented constitutive relations. Whenever the occurrence of the crack is detected, the general element is replaced by this new element. Also, the objectivity of the method is shown by the analysis of plain concrete structures with different meshes.