Multiaxial behavior of concrete

ABSTRACT Interface elements for discrete fracture plus meso-level geometric representation are emerging as a powerful tool for the modeling of the behavior of heterogeneous materials such as concrete. The group of mechanics of materials at ETSECCPB has been developing such tools in which meso-geometry is generated numerically via Voronoi/Delaunay approach, and all lines in the FE mesh are considered as potential crack lines with traction-separation constitutive models based on principles of non-linear fracture mechanics. Results of mechanical analysis turn out very realistic, both mesoscopically (distributed microcrack, coalescence, localization) and macroscopically (average stress-strain curves for specimen). On-going extensions aim at modeling diffusion-driven and coupled phenomena such as drying shrinkage.