Numerical simulation of the effect of bedding layer geometrical properties on the punch shear test using PFC3D

In this research the effect of bedding layer angle and bedding layer thickness on the shear failure mechanism of concrete has been investigated using PFC3D. For this purpose, firstly calibration of PFC3d was performed using Brazilian tensile strength. Secondly punch shear test was performed on the bedding layer. Thickness of layers were 5 mm, 10 mm and 20 mm. in each thickness layer, layer angles changes from $0^{\circ}$ to $90^{\circ}$ with increment of $25^{\circ}$. Totally 15 model were simulated and tested by loading rate of 0.016 mm/s. The results show that when layer angle is less than $50^{\circ}$, tensile cracks initiates between the layers and propagate till coalesce with model boundary. Its trace is too high. With increasing the layer angle, less layer mobilizes in failure process. Also, the failure trace is very short. It's to be note that number of cracks decrease with increasing the layer thickness. The minimum shear punch test strength was occurred when layer angle is more than $50^{\circ}$. The maximum value occurred in $0^{\circ}$. Also, the shear punch test tensile strength was increased by increasing the layer thickness.