Application of some anisotropic damage model to the prediction of the failure of some complex industrial concrete structure

The aim of this paper is to present a new model for the anisotropic damage of concrete and apply it to the numerical simulation of the failure of some complex structure. This model considers damage as anisotropic in tension but isotropic in compression, and incorporates asymmetry between tension and compression. In spite of its complexity, it is expressed in a format fit for numerical calculations by the finite element method, and involves only six material parameters (in addition to the usual elastic constants), which makes it suitable for applications to large industrial structures. The material parameters can be identified from simple uniaxial and biaxial experiments. The application envisaged relates to the failure of some cylindrical nuclear containment vessel subjected to some excessive internal pressure. This structure is made of reinforced concrete containing both passive (initially stress-free) steel armatures and pre-stressed cables. The numerical results illustrate the importance of incorporation of both asymmetry between tension and compression and anisotropy of damage in the simulation to accurately predict the resistance of the structure to fracture.