Numerical Simulation of Pulled Specimens

An approach is proposed for modeling the behavior of pulled specimens. Nonlinear evolution under static loading is formulated in terms of force equilibrium and fracture energy dissipation. The simulation provides the tension-versus-elongation response and the cracking history, including steel-to-concrete bond-slip, transverse crack opening, and splitting crack propagation. A previous experimental program carried out by H. H. Abrishami and D. Mitchell that investigated the influence of splitting crack on tension stiffening is used to benchmark the model. Besides satisfactory agreement on the predicted softening load, good agreement on the relevant cracking mechanism (transverse crack, splitting crack, or mixed mode) is achieved.