Analysis of the Concrete Fracture Model During Compression

Introduction. The relevance of the study is due to the need to predict the durability of concrete structures, taking into account their complex multi-stage nature of destruction. The purpose of the study is to obtain fracture criteria that allow analyzing the process of cracking at various scale levels. Materials and Methods. Concrete prisms and a WilleGeotechnik installation (model 13-PD/401) were used to study this problem. The data obtained has been analyzed using fractal analysis methods. Results. In the course of the study, the models of destruction of compressed concrete elements were analyzed. It is proved that the destruction of concrete is a complex multi-stage process with a hierarchy of structures and several mechanisms of destruction. The patterns of accumulation and consumption of energy spent on the destruction of structural elements during the formation of the main crack are revealed. Discussion and Conclusion. The proposed destruction criteria will allow us to determine how the destruction mechanism proceeds at various scale levels and how the energy accumulation and consumption change. These results will be useful for researchers of the mechanics of concrete fracture as they will allow to more accurately determine the process of microcracking. As a result, the reliability of concrete structures will be improved.