A simple and robust elastoplastic constitutive model for concrete

•A new simple constitutive model for concrete is formulated, implemented and tested.•An infinite class of hardening laws is proposed for concrete and rock-like materials.•The model results robust and is suited to be used in complex design situations.

An elasto-plastic model for concrete, based on a recently-proposed yield surface and simple hardening laws, is formulated, implemented, numerically tested and validated against available test results. The yield surface is smooth and particularly suited to represent the behaviour of rock-like materials, such as concrete, mortar, ceramic and rock. A new class of isotropic hardening laws is proposed, which can be given both an incremental and the corresponding finite form. These laws describe a smooth transition from linear elastic to plastic behaviour, incorporating linear and nonlinear hardening, and may approach the perfectly plastic limit in the latter case. The reliability of the model is demonstrated by its capability of correctly describing the results yielded by a number of well documented triaxial tests on concrete subjected to various confinement levels. Thanks to its simplicity, the model turns out to be very robust and well suited to be used in complex design situations, as those involving dynamic loads.