Interplay of size effects in concrete specimens by computational stochastic fracture mechanics

Abstract eng:
We attempt at identifying, studying and modeling possible sources of size effects in concrete structures both separately and brought together. We are particularly motivated by an interplay of several identified scaling lengths stemming from material, boundary conditions and geometry. We model well published results on direct tensile tests of dog-bone specimens with rotating boundary conditions performed by van Vliet and van Mier by methods of stochastic nonlinear fracture mechanics. Using the numerical example, we document how different sources of size effects on strength can interact and result in relatively complex processes in quasibrittle failure. The presented study documents the well known fact that an experimental determination of material parameters (needed for rational and safe design of structures) is very difficult for quasibrittle materials such as concrete. ´

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