NUMERICAL SIMULATION ON COMPLETE PROCESS OF MODEL I CRACK PROPAGATION OF FULLY-GRADED CONCRETE

The initial fracture toughness was taken as a crack propagation criterion. The Mode I crack propagation of fully-graded concrete was simulated by using ANSYS software. Complete P-CMODcurves, critical crack lengths and double-Kfracture parameters of the wedge-splitting specimens were calculated respectively. The simulated results show a good agreement with the fracture test data of the Xiluodu dam. Meanwhile, based on the experimental data, the fracture parameters of standard specimens were calculated, using the formulae specified by the , and compared to the simulated results. It is concluded that the method proposed by the norm can also be applied to the calculation of non-standard large-size specimens, the error rate of which is within 5%. Besides, if the elastic modulus, the uniaxial tensile strength, the uniaxial compressive strength, and the initial fracture toughness of the fully-graded concrete are measured, the double-Kfracture parameters, the complete process of crack propagation and the K_R crack extension resistance curves can be obtained by the proposed numerical method.