Simulation of crack-paths formed in concrete around deformed tension bar

Abstract

3-D internal crack propagations formed in concrete around deformed tension bar, which is named as Goto Crack, are simulated in the finite element analysis with isotropic damage model in this paper. Goto Crack means that the internal cracks take the form of conical shape, and propagate toward the nearest lateral cracks which are initially formed. The isotropic damage model applied in this study is based on fracture mechanics for concrete, and is capable of simulating quasi-brittle fracture and crack propagation with the fracture energy. We first show the formulation of the isotropic damage model by means of modified von-Mises model and fracture mechanics for concrete. Then, several numerical experiments are presented to verify the basic performance of the 3-D fracture analysis method with damage model. Finally, we simulate the 3-D conical shaped internal cracks formed in concrete around deformed tension bar by applying the analysis method with damage model to an RC test specimen.