Author(s)

A.L. Saleh & M.H. Aliabadi

Abstract

The Dual Boundary Element Method is extended to simulate the pure mode I and mixed mode crack propagation of strain softening material (concrete or material-like concrete) having low ultimate tensile stress. The fictitious crack approach is used in order to investigate the fracturing pro- cess occurs during the loading period. Using this approach, the fracture zone develop in front of the real crack tip is replaced by the closing forces acting on both crack surfaces. The crack will propagate perpendicular to the maximum principal stress when the force at the fictitious crack tip exceeds the maximum tensile strength of the material. The validity of the proposed model is demonstrated by the three-point bending te

Keywords