Concept to predict crack initiation and crack development in fairfaced concrete screeds
English
Weiler, Michael[University of Luxembourg > Faculty of Science, Technology and Communication (FSTC) > Engineering Research Unit >]
Waldmann, Danièle[University of Luxembourg > Faculty of Science, Technology and Communication (FSTC) > Engineering Research Unit >]
Nov-2016
Performance-based approaches for concrete structures
Beushausen, Hans
Fédération internationale du beton
275-276
Yes
International
978-2-88394-120-5
Cape Town
South Africa
fib Symposium
from 21-11-2016 to 23-11-2016
Féderation Internationale du Béton
Cape Town
South Africa
[en] concrete ; crack development ; Finite Element Analysis ; shrinkage ; chronological strength development
[en] Within a research project of the Laboratory of Solid Structures of the University of Luxemburg, a design concept to predict cracks in various concrete structures will be developed. The current paper presents the numerical investigation of crack initiation and crack development of an unreinforced cementitious fairfaced concrete floor. Thereby cracking of concrete is divided into cracking of an early stage and into cracking of a later stage. The present study deals with cracking of an early stage. Taking into account shrinkage and the chronological strength development of the used C20/25 concrete and with the use of the Element Failure Method (EFM) it will be possible to predict, within a Finite Element Analysis, a possible crack path spatial as well as temporal.
For this purpose a finite element model, based on a commercial FE-Software is developed. The program is tested on H-shaped concrete specimen with an unfavorable size ratio between surface and volume. Besides, shrinkage on this specimen is hindered so that unplanned restrain forces has to occur. Using an algorithm the finite element program is able to calculate the model gradually for several load steps within a loop. Furthermore the net dependency of the EFM can be excluded by the use of suitable load steps.
University of Luxembourg; Laboratory of Solid structures