FRACTURE ANALYSIS OF HIGH STRENGTH CONCRETE MEMBERS

A nonlinear model for the fracture analysis of high strength concrete members is developed through the interactive use of experimental data and finite-element analysis. The experimentally obtained tensile softening relationship is incorporated into a nonlinear ABAQUS finite-element program. Finite-element analysis is performed to evaluate flexural strength, process zone size, size effect, and the effect of load line deflection measurements on concrete fracture energy. The finite-element model is simple and shown to be successful in predicting beam test results. Finally, the finite-element model is used to compare the size effect model and the two-parameter fracture model. The fracture energies obtained by these alternatives are compared and discussed.