Relying on previous observations and phenomenological studies presented in previous FraMCoS conferences, a model of mode I crack growth in concrete under fatigue is proposed. Based on the cohesive crack concept, the finite element computation, where the bulk material is…
Relying on previous observations and phenomenological studies presented in previous FraMCoS conferences, a model of mode I crack growth in concrete under fatigue is proposed. Based on the cohesive crack concept, the finite element computation, where the bulk material is assumed to be elastic is used. A standard finite element code CESAR is used to which a specifically developed module was added. This module allows to introduce cohesive forces on the crack surfaces, thus taking into account the non linear behaviour of the material. The cohesive force law is based on three characteristic parameters : the measured tensile strength, the fracture energy and an hysteresis law. The model is applied to simulate crack growth in notched mortar specimens subjected to three point bending tests and its results are compared with the experimental data.