Experimentally validated peridynamic fracture modelling of mortar at the meso-scale

Peridynamics (PD) model is a nonlocal theory to describe the formation of discontinuities, e.g., cracks and fractures due to deformations in the displacement field. The current study aims at implementing the Peridynamics theory on the fracture performance modelling of mortar at the meso-scale. For this purpose, a computational uniaxial tension test was performed on a multi-phase virtual specimen consisting of sand, hydrated cement paste and air voids. The mechanical properties of each phase were derived from the recent outcome of micromechanical models. The modelling results (stress-strain response and fracture pattern) were compared with the experimental observations in the literature. The comparison shows that, without further calibration, the PD theory can predict the load-displacement response and crack pattern satisfactorily. The model was further used to explain the load-displacement response and fracture process. (C) 2020 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

Automated summary

The study implemented the Peridynamics theory on the fracture performance modelling of mortar at the meso-scale, showing that the PD theory can predict the load-displacement response and crack pattern satisfactorily without further calibration.