On the development of models and their application in concrete science

Title: On the development of models and their application in concrete science
Author(s): F.H. Wittmann
Paper category : conference
Book title: International RILEM Symposium on Concrete Modelling - ConMod '08
Editor(s): E. Schlangen and G. De Schutter
Print-ISBN: 978-2-35158-060-8
e-ISBN: 978-2-35158-076-9
Publisher: RILEM Publications SARL
Publication year: 2008
Pages: 1 - 11
Total Pages: 11
Nb references: 21
Language: English

Abstract: First the meaning and the significance but also the limitations of models is briefly discussed. It is also mentioned that there exist a multitude of different models with widely varying aims. It is necessary to indicate that some models are not helpful but rather misleading. Some models are selected and presented with an emphasis on models for characterization and analysis of mechanical properties. It will be shown that early models to describe crack formation in porous and composite materials describe what we can observe experimentally. These descriptive models serve to understand the mechanisms and to optimize material properties. They have a strong didactic component. The fictitious crack model is applied to investigate the influence of specimen size on fracture energy. Then a more general model is introduced, which describes the influence of size on the nominal strength.
After these analytical models the so-called numerical concrete is presented as a twodimensional and three-dimensional numerical model of the composite material. With these models damage accumulation in the composite structure under mechanical and under environmental loads such as freeze-thaw cycles can be realistically predicted. It is concluded that progress in concrete science will strongly depend on further development and wide application of most significant models.

Online publication: 2009-06-15
Publication type : full_text
Public price (Euros): 0.00