The paper presents two-dimensional numerical mesoscopic results for concrete at the aggregate level in a notched concrete beam under bending. A classical particle discrete element method was used to predict both concrete strength and fracture. A 4-phase concrete description including…
The paper presents two-dimensional numerical mesoscopic results for concrete at the aggregate level in a notched concrete beam under bending. A classical particle discrete element method was used to predict both concrete strength and fracture. A 4-phase concrete description including aggregate, cement matrix, macro-voids and interfacial transition zones (ITZs) was used to take heterogeneity into account. ITZs were simulated as porous zones around aggregates with a defined width and the same mechanical properties as the cement matrix. The model was calibrated based on experiments and x-ray CT scans. Attention was laid on both the effect of initial micro- porosity in ITZs on the load-deflection curve and shape of a discrete macro-crack. The findings presented in this paper can offer a new perspective as to the understanding of the micro-cracking development in concrete.