Application of the hybrid finite element procedure to crack band propagation

by Zheng, Hui

The crack band modeling of the fracture of concrete has so far been numerically studied only for the displacement finite element procedure. In this thesis, a hybrid stress model is applied to problems in the fracture of concrete. The results of this model are compared with those obtained from the displacement method, experimental data and exact solutions. It is shown that the hybrid stress model can provide results closer to the experimental data and less bias in the mesh direction than those obtained from the displacement finite element method. The propagation of a crack for a concrete beam on an elastic foundation is also studied. A thin-layer interface element is used to simulate the interaction between the beam and elastic foundation.