Characteristics of dissipated energy of concrete subjected to cyclic loading

Based on dissipated energy approach (DEA), the energy dissipation characteristics of concrete samples subjected to uniaxial cyclic loading have been investigated. The effect of different cyclic load levels on energy dissipation is quantitatively analyzed by different damage indicators during cyclic fatigue tests. It is concluded that the cumulative speed of energy dissipation and increasing growth-rate of damage indicators in Continuum Damage Theory (CDT) follow an exponential function in relation to the maximum cyclic load level and follow a logarithmic function in relation to the minimum cyclic load level. The loading strategy has an effect on total energy dissipated during fatigue tests, in other words: Energy dissipation and damage evolution are stress path dependent.