Discrete Element Simulation if Crack Initiation and Damage Evolution in Concrete

doi:10.12382/bgxb.2025.0111

Abstract

Abstract:

To investigate the damage evolution process in concrete, numerical simulations were conducted using the Discrete Element Method(DEM) to study crack initiation and propagation evolution in pre-cracked concrete specimens under different loading modes. Based on the aggregate geometry in concrete materials, a three-dimensional discrete element model incorporating irregular polyhedral aggregates was developed. The flat-joint model was then employed to investigate crack initiation and propagation behavior in concrete specimens under four loading modes, revealing the meso-scale damage mechanisms underlying macroscopic failure in concrete. The results demonstrate that: (1) During the initial loading phase, fewer internal cracks were observed in the concrete specimen. Due to the compressive stress concentration effect, shear cracks predominantly clustered near both loading ends, while tensile cracks initiated at the pre-existing crack tip. In the later loading stage, cracks rapidly propagated along aggregate boundaries, resulting in crack deflection. Secondary cracks emerged adjacent to the loading ends and extended towards the specimen mid-section, accompanied by limited crack development within highly stressed aggregates. (2) As the loading angle increased from 0° to 28°, the proportion of shear cracks at the pre-existing crack tip exhibited an increasing trend, demonstrating the transition from tensile-dominated to shear-dominated failure mechanisms in concrete. However, tensile failure remained the predominant factor governing specimen failure across all four loading modes. (3) Within the loading angle range of 0°-28°, the crack initiation angle at the pre-existing crack tip exhibited a positive correlation with increasing loading angles. The predictions based on the generalized maximum tangential stress (GMTS) criterion showed good agreement with simulation results for pure Mode I and mixed Mode Ⅰ-Ⅱ loading conditions, while demonstrating higher predictions under pure Mode Ⅱ loading.

Key words: concrete, discrete element model, crack initiation angle, generalized maximum tangential stress criterion

TAN Rijing, REN Huilan, LI Tao. Discrete Element Simulation if Crack Initiation and Damage Evolution in Concrete[J]. Acta Armamentarii, 2025, 46(10): 250111-.

Figures/Tables 25

Fig.1 Geometry model of a coarse aggregate

Fig.2 Illustration of clump model

Fig.3 Flow chart of concrete model construction

Fig.4 Illustration of coarse aggregate inside concrete

Fig.5 Aggregate particle range inside concrete

Fig.6 Three-dimensional discrete element model of concrete

Fig.7 Flat-joint contact model

Fig.8 Three groups of contacts in the numerical simulation

Fig.9 Stress-strain curves in the uniaxial compressive test

Fig.10 Force displacement curves in the Brazilian test

Table 1 Parameters of Flat-Joint Model contacts

参数	水泥砂浆	骨料	ITZ
弹性模量E_c/GPa	2	4	1.2
抗拉强度σ_t/MPa	8.5	20	5.1
粘结强度c/MPa	13.5	35	8.1

Fig.11 Comparison between experimental results and simulation results

Fig.12 Simulation model and force displacement curve under 0° loading

Fig.13 Evolution process of microcracks

Fig.14 Force distribution

Fig.15 Cross section of specimen

Fig.16 Illustration of microcracks in mortar and ITZ

Fig.17 Illustration of microcracks in stage 3

Fig.18 The crack propagation process under three loading angles

Fig.19 The change of proportion of tensile cracks and shear cracks at different loading stage

Fig.20 Illustration of crack initiation angle

Fig.21 Internal profile of aggregate distribution in three models

Fig.22 Force displacement curve under four loading modes

Table 2 Comparison of experimental and numerical peak loads

模型	0°	10°	18°	28°
试验/kN	15.7	16.3	15.9	13.6
模型1/kN	16.4	15.1	14.3	12.8
模型2/kN	15.3	14.6	13.5	12.1
模型3/kN	15.5	15.0	13.8	12.0
均值/kN	15.7	14.9	13.8	12.3
误差/%	0	9.3	13.2	9.5

Table 3 Comparison of theoretical, experimental and numerical fracture initiation angles

项目	0°	10°	18°	28°
GMTS/(°)	0	16.9	33.7	59
试验/(°)	4.4	17.4	29.2	49.1
模型1/(°)	1.0	18.5	28.5	51.0
模型2/(°)	0.6	17.9	28.3	49.0
模型3/(°)	1.3	17.4	33.2	52.3
均值/(°)	1.0	17.9	30.0	50.8
误差1/%		5.9	10	13.9
误差2/%		2.8	2.6	1.7

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