Multi-scale modeling of fracture in concrete composites

We study non-linear fracture behavior of concrete using a concurrent multi-scale method. Therefore, a mesoscopic description is exploited for domains around the fracture process zone while a macroscopic description is used far away from the fracture process zone. The composite concrete on the mesoscopic scale consists of stiff aggregates and cement matrix. Linear elastic material behavior is considered for the aggregates while a cohesive crack approach is used for the cement matrix. The extended element-free Galerkin method is used to model fracture of the concrete composite. We consider both, interface models and rigid bond between the aggregate and the matrix material and show that the interface model has a significant influence on the results. The method is validated by comparison to experimental data for different failure modes. © 2012 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.