THE UNIVERSAL MODEL FOR STRESS TRANSFER ACROSS CRACKS IN CONCRETE

Abstract

The model for stress transfer across cracks in concrete with universal applicability is proposed. It is a physical model based upon numerical computational scheme of the original contact density model developed by B. Li & K. Maekawa. Main part of the model which is significant for model non-linearity is the contact stress formulation. The formulation integrates important characteristics of concrete stress transfer behaviors, i.e., significant effect of microscopic friction, anisotropic plasticity of contact stress, and contact fracturing of contact units of a crack plane. Each characteristic is represented by microscopic model which is combined together into the same model framework culminating in the final universal model.