Fatigue crack propagation for bi-material interfaces

Abstract

In this work, an analytical model has been proposed to predict crack propagation behavior of concrete-concrete bimaterial interface crack by utilizing the concepts of dimensional analysis and self-similarity. The appropriate idealizations in the formulation of a mathematical model are made through various assumption of self-similarity of the phenomenon under consideration based on its physical behavior. The developed model includes the various crack growth influencing fracture parameters together with the elastic mismatch moduli. To use the proposed model for crack growth predictions of cyclically loaded concrete members, calibration and validation studies have been performed utilizing the available experimental data. The proposed model is observed to follow the experimental trend satisfactorily. A sensitivity analysis is carried out to understand the influence of each involved quantities. © 2012 Taylor & Francis Group.