Numerical simulation of dynamic fracture of concrete through uniaxial tension and L-specimen

Dynamic fracture of concrete is numerically evaluated using uniaxial tension and L-specimen. Previous work by authors demonstrated interesting aspects such as crack branching beyond threshold crack speed. Uniaxial tensile behaviour of concrete under dynamic loads is difficult to study even numerically due to local problems near loading points. A specimen is designed to numerically assess the dynamic tensile behaviour that seems to be practical enough for carrying out experimental studies as well. The results demonstrate various phenomena such as crack branching, intercepting and re-branching. Dynamic behaviour of L-specimen shows that the direction of crack propagation strongly depends on displacement rate.

► FE analysis of uniaxial tension and L-specimen performed under high loading rate. ► Rate sensitive microplane model is used as constitutive law for concrete. ► Uniaxial tensile behaviour is significantly influenced by rate of loading. ► Crack branching observed at crack speeds of around 500–600 m/s. ► Crack propagation of L specimen significantly influenced by loading rate. ► Structural inertial forces found to be responsible for change in failure patterns.