A numerical algorithm for multiple cracks propagation in concrete structure. (15th May 2020)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Wen, Ming; Fang, Qian; Zhang, Dingli; Fang, Huangcheng
• Is Part Of: Structural concrete. Volume 21:Number 5(2020)
• Page Start: 2168
• Page End: 2177
• Publication Date: 2020-05-15
• Subjects: extended finite element method -- fictitious crack model -- maximum stress criterion -- multiple‐crack problem -- multiple‐crack‐length‐controlled method; Reinforced concrete -- Periodicals; 624.1834
• DOI: 10.1002/suco.201900564
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 1464-4177

Abstract

Abstract: Multiple cracks are extremely common in aged or partially damaged concrete structures. These cracks have a decisive influence on the safety of structures. In this study, a novel multiple‐crack‐length‐controlled method is presented for analyzing the cracking behavior of multiple cracks in concrete structures. This method introduces topological variables into the finite element calculation to identify the correct crack propagation pattern of multiple‐crack problems. The values of topological variables that are used to active and inactive cracks are continually updated by the maximum stress criterion during calculation. The mathematical formulation of the proposed method is constructed in the incremental form. Thus, it is easy to be implemented in the nonlinear problems and capable of considering the influences of stress history on the plastic behaviors. Furthermore, several numerical examples with different cracking modes are studied. The results show that the proposed method provides a robust, effective, and fast way to solve the multiple‐crack problems in concrete.