Civil Engineering ETDs

Publication Date

6-9-2016

Abstract

Concrete members deform discontinuously in the form of cracks and fracture. Continuum mechanics, which has dominated the field of solid mechanics over the years, does not handle such discontinuities. A material, as defined by continuum mechanics is that which is continuous and fills the space it occupies. Although this is a reasonable assumption for metals, it is an unrealistic notion for concrete. Stewart Silling invented peridynamics, which involves nonlocal solid modelling upon a continuous material space. Walter Gerstle developed a practical application of the peridynamic model for solid mechanics called the state-based peridynamic lattice model (SPLM). This approach involves material modelling with a finite number of interacting lattice particles rather than a continuum. The advantage of SPLM lies in its ease of computational implementation. SPLM is used in this thesis to analyze the very widely used Brazilian split cylinder test in estimating the uniaxial tensile strength of concrete. Additionally, the direct tension test and the modulus of rupture test are modelled to better understand the tensile strength of concrete and concrete behavior.

Keywords

State based peridynamic lattice model, Brazilian split cylinder test, Concrete, Tensile strength

Document Type

Thesis

Language

English

Degree Name

Civil Engineering

Level of Degree

Masters

Department Name

Civil Engineering

First Committee Member (Chair)

Yu-Lin, Shen

Second Committee Member

Reda Taha, Mahmoud

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