• Computers and Concrete
• /
• 제7권4호
• /
• pp.317-329
• /
• 2010

The paper describes localization of deformation in a bar under tensile loading. The material of the bar is considered as non-linear viscous elastic and the bar consists of two symmetric halves. It is assumed that the model represents behavior of the quasi-brittle viscous material under uniaxial tension with different loading rates. Besides that, the bar could represent uniaxial stress-strain law on a single plane of a microplane material model. Non-linear material property is taken from the microplane material model and it is coupled with the viscous damper producing non-linear Maxwell material model. Mathematically, the problem is described with a system of two partial differential equations with a non-linear algebraic constraint. In order to obtain solution, the system of differential algebraic equations is transformed into a system of three partial differential equations. System is subjected to loadings of different rate and it is shown that localization occurs only for high loading rates. Mathematically, in such a case two solutions are possible: one without the localization (unstable) and one with the localization (stable one). Furthermore, mass is added to the bar and in that case the problem is described with a system of four differential equations. It is demonstrated that for high enough loading rates, it is the added mass that dominates the response, in contrast to the viscous and elastic material parameters that dominated in the case without mass. This is demonstrated by several numerical examples.

• Geomechanics and Engineering
• /
• 제14권5호
• /
• pp.459-466
• /
• 2018

By conducting uniaxial loading cycle tests on the coal rock with outburst proneness, the dilatation characteristics at different loading rates were investigated. Under uniaxial loading and unloading, the lateral deformation of coal rock increased obviously before failure, leading to coal dilatation. Moreover, the post-unloading recovery of the lateral deformation was rather small, suggesting the onset of an accelerated failure. As the loading rate increased further, the ratio of the stress at the dilatation critical point to peak-intensity increased gradually, and the pre-peak volumetric deformation decreased with more severe post-peak damage. Based on the laboratory test results, the lateral deformation of the coals at different depths in the #1302 isolated coal pillars, Yangcheng Coal Mine, was monitored using wall rock displacement meter. The field monitoring result indicates that the coal lateral displacement went through various distinct stages: the lateral displacement of the coals at the depth of 2-6 m went through an "initial increase-stabilize-step up-plateau" series. When the coal wall of the working face was 24-18 m away from the measuring point, the coals in this region entered the accelerated failure stage; as the working face continued advancing, the lateral displacement of the coals at the depth over 6 m increased steadily, i.e., the coals in this region were in the stable failure stage.

• Geomechanics and Engineering
• /
• 제16권1호
• /
• pp.35-47
• /
• 2018

This paper investigates the mechanisms of tunnel spalling and massive tunnel failures using fracture mechanics principles. The study starts with examining the fracture propagation due to tensile and shear failure mechanisms. It was found that, fundamentally, in rock masses with high compressive stresses, tensile fracture propagation is often a stable process which leads to a gradual failure. Shear fracture propagation tends to be an unstable process. Several real case observations of spalling failures and massive shear failures in boreholes, tunnels and underground roadways are shown in the paper. A number of numerical models were used to investigate the fracture mechanisms and extents in the roof/wall of a deep tunnel and in an underground coal mine roadway. The modelling was done using a unique fracture mechanics code FRACOD which simulates explicitly the fracture initiation and propagation process. The study has demonstrated that both tensile and shear fracturing may occur in the vicinity of an underground opening. Shallow spalling in the tunnel wall is believed to be caused by tensile fracturing from extensional strain although no tensile stress exists there. Massive large scale failure however is most likely to be caused by shear fracturing under high compressive stresses. The observation that tunnel spalling often starts when the hoop stress reaches $0.4^*UCS$ has been explained in this paper by using the extension strain criterion. At this uniaxial compressive stress level, the lateral extensional strain is equivalent to the critical strain under uniaxial tension. Scale effect on UCS commonly believed by many is unlikely the dominant factor in this phenomenon.

• Geomechanics and Engineering
• /
• 제22권1호
• /
• pp.97-108
• /
• 2020

The time-consuming and less objectivity are the main problems of conventional micromechanical parameters calibration method of Particle Flow Code simulations. Thus this study aims to address these two limitation of the conventional "trial-and-error" method. A new calibration method for the linear parallel bond model (CM-LPBM) is proposed. First, numerical simulations are conducted based on the results of the uniaxial compression tests on limestone. The macroscopic response of the numerical model agrees well with the results of the uniaxial compression tests. To reduce the number of the independent micromechanical parameters, numerical simulations are then carried out. Based on the results of the orthogonal experiments and the multi-factor variance analysis, main micromechanical parameters affecting the macro parameters of rocks are proposed. The macro-micro parameter functions are ultimately established using multiple linear regression, and the iteration correction formulas of the micromechanical parameters are obtained. To further verify the validity of the proposed method, a case study is carried out. The error between the macro mechanical response and the numerical results is less than 5%. Hence the calibration method, i.e., the CM-LPBM, is reliable for obtaining the micromechanical parameters quickly and accurately, providing reference for the calibration of micromechanical parameters.

• Computers and Concrete
• /
• 제8권1호
• /
• pp.1-22
• /
• 2011

A numerical model that can simulate the nonlinear behavior of ultra high strength fiber-reinforced concrete (UHSFRC) structures subject to monotonic loadings is introduced. Since engineering material properties of UHSFRC are remarkably different from those of normal strength concrete and engineered cementitious composite, classification of the mechanical characteristics related to the biaxial behavior of UHSFRC, from the designation of the basic material properties such as the uniaxial stress-strain relationship of UHSFRC to consideration of the bond stress-slip between the reinforcement and surrounding concrete with fiber, is conducted in this paper in order to make possible accurate simulation of the cracking behavior in UHSFRC structures. Based on the concept of the equivalent uniaxial strain, constitutive relationships of UHSFRC are presented in the axes of orthotropy which coincide with the principal axes of the total strain and rotate according to the loading history. This paper introduces a criterion to simulate the tension-stiffening effect on the basis of the force equilibriums, compatibility conditions, and bond stress-slip relationship in an idealized axial member and its efficiency is validated by comparison with available experimental data. Finally, the applicability of the proposed numerical model is established through correlation studies between analytical and experimental results for idealized UHSFRC beams.

• Structural Engineering and Mechanics
• /
• 제65권2호
• /
• pp.155-162
• /
• 2018

A smart glass fiber reinforced polymer (SMFRP) reinforcing bar with a fiber Bragg grating (FBG) sensor was fabricated using a pultrusion technique, while ribs were formed to improve bonding between concrete and SMFRP. Then, strain of SMFRP bars were measured for a uniaxial tension test of an SMFRP bar, and a four-point bending test of concrete beams reinforced with SMFRP bars. The results of a uniaxial tension test illustrate that the strain obtained from an FBG sensor agrees well with that obtained from electrical resistance strain gauge (ERSG). Additionally, concrete beams reinforced with SMFRP bars were fabricated, and actual flexural test were performed while the strain of with an FBG sensor was compared with that of ERSG. The experimental results demonstrate that SMFRP bars can be used as reinforcement of concrete member while providing deformation information. Furthermore, SMFRP bars may provide stronger durability and smart monitoring to reinforced concrete members under corrosive environments during a service life.

• Computers and Concrete
• /
• 제22권5호
• /
• pp.469-479
• /
• 2018

The Brazilian tensile strength of concrete samples is a key parameter in fracture mechanics since it may significantly change the quality of concrete materials and their mechanical behaviors. It is well known that porosity is one of the most often used physical indices to predict concrete mechanical properties. In the present work the influence of porosity shape on concrete tensile strength characteristics is studied, using a bonded particle model. Firstly numerical model was calibrated by Brazilian experimental results and uniaxial test out puts. Secondly, Brazilian models consisting various pore shapes were simulated and numerically tested at a constant speed of 0.016 mm/s. The results show that pore shape has important effects on the failure pattern. It is shown that the pore shape may play an important role in the cracks initiation and propagation during the loading process which in turn influence on the tensile strength of the concrete samples. It has also been shown that the pore size mainly affects the ratio of uniaxial compressive strength to that of the tensile one in the simulated material samples.

• Structural Engineering and Mechanics
• /
• 제35권6호
• /
• pp.659-676
• /
• 2010

An energy-based fatigue life prediction framework was previously developed by the authors for prediction of axial and bending fatigue life at various stress ratios. The framework for the prediction of fatigue life via energy analysis was based on a new constitutive law, which states the following: the amount of energy required to fracture a material is constant. In this study, the energy expressions that construct the new constitutive law are integrated into minimum potential energy formulation to develop new finite elements for uniaxial and bending fatigue life prediction. The comparison of finite element method (FEM) results to existing experimental fatigue data, verifies the new finite elements for fatigue life prediction. The final output of this finite element analysis is in the form of number of cycles to failure for each element in ascending or descending order. Therefore, the new finite element framework can provide the number of cycles to failure for each element in structural components. The performance of the fatigue finite elements is demonstrated by the fatigue life predictions from Al6061-T6 aluminum and Ti-6Al-4V. Results are compared with experimental results and analytical predictions.

• Computers and Concrete
• /
• 제7권2호
• /
• pp.191-202
• /
• 2010

A laboratory investigation was conducted to characterize the constitutive property behavior of Cor-Tuf, an ultra-high-performance composite concrete. Mechanical property tests (hydrostatic compression, unconfined compression (UC), triaxial compression (TXC), unconfined direct pull (DP), uniaxial strain, and uniaxial-strain-load/constant-volumetric-strain tests) were performed on specimens prepared from concrete mixtures with and without steel fibers. From the UC and TXC test results, compression failure surfaces were developed for both sets of specimens. Both failure surfaces exhibited a continuous increase in maximum principal stress difference with increasing confining stress. The DP tests results determined the unconfined tensile strengths of the two mixtures. The tensile strength of each mixture was less than the generally assumed tensile strength for conventional strength concrete, which is 10 percent of the unconfined compressive strength. Both concretes behaved similarly, but Cor-Tuf with steel fibers exhibited slightly greater strength with increased confining pressure, and Cor-Tuf without steel fibers displayed slightly greater compressibility.

• Geomechanics and Engineering
• /
• 제17권4호
• /
• pp.323-331
• /
• 2019

The presence of defects in nature changes the physical parameters of the rock. In this paper, by studying the rock-like specimens with conjugated fractures, the horizontal angle and length are changed, and the physical parameters and failure modes of the specimens under uniaxial compression test are analyzed and compared with the results of simulation analysis. The experimental results show that the peak strength and failure mode of the rock-like specimens are closely related to the horizontal angle. When the horizontal angle is $45^{\circ}$, the maximum value is reached and the tensile failure mode is obtained. The fracture length affects the germination and propagation path of the cracks. It is of great significance to study the failure modes and mechanical properties of conjugated fracture rock-like specimens to guide the support of fractured rock on site.