SEDL / STP / STP995V1-EB / STP26789S

Nonlinear Fracture of Concrete and Ceramics

Kobayashi, AS
Professor, and postdoctoral research associate, University of,

Du, J-J
Professor, and postdoctoral research associate, University of,

Hawkins, NM
Professor, University,

Bradt, RC
Professor, University of Washington, Seattle, WA

Pages: 15    Published: Jan 1988

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Abstract

The nonlinear fracture process zones in an impacted unnotched concrete bend specimen, a prenotched ceramic bend specimen, and an unnotched ceramic/ceramic composite bend specimen were estimated through hybrid experimental numerical analysis. Aggregate bridging in concrete, particulate bridging in ceramics, and fiber bridging in ceramic/ceramic composite are modeled by Barenblatt-type cohesive zones which are incorporated into the finite-element models of the bend specimens. Both generation and propagation analyses are used to estimate the distribution of crack closure stresses in the nonlinear fracture process zones. The finite-element models are then used to simulate fracture tests consisting of rapid crack propagation in an impacted concrete bend specimen, and stable crack growth and strain softening in a ceramic and a ceramic/ceramic composite bend specimens.