Micromechanics model for static and dynamic strength of concrete under confinement

The process of propagation, kinking of microcracks in concrete and the interaction among cracks as well as the induced failure were analyzed using the model that describes the wing type crack from the point of view of micromechanics. The pseudo-force method is applied to calculate the compressive strength factor of kinky propagated crack taking into account the effect of interaction among cracks. On the assumption that the micro fracture toughness of concrete does not vary with stain rate, the static and dynamic strength of concrete under different confinements can be calculated. The comparison of calculation result with experimental data indicates that a good agreement is achieved which implies that the model can be used to explain the rate-dependent properties of concrete in multi-axial stress state. © 2008 Higher Education Press and Springer-Verlag GmbH.