The study of concrete behavior under mechanical and environmental actions is approached via microstructural analysis using the FEM. The discretization includes the larger aggregates embedded in a ma- trix which represents the mortar and the smaller aggregates. Zero-thiclmess interface elements…
The study of concrete behavior under mechanical and environmental actions is approached via microstructural analysis using the FEM. The discretization includes the larger aggregates embedded in a ma- trix which represents the mortar and the smaller aggregates. Zero-thiclmess interface elements representing potential crack lines are inserted along all aggregate-matrix boundaries, and also along the main lines of the matrix discretization. Mechanically speaking, these elements are equipped with a fracture-based constitutive law which constitutes a mixed-mode generalization of Hillerborg's "Fictitious Crack Model". Numerical re- sults in pure tension and compression are presented showing a good qualitative agreement with well known behavior of concrete. Consideration of environmental actions requires a moisture diffusion analysis on the same meshes. The formulation of interface elements for diffusion analysis is also described and illustrated.