Mesoscale modelling of concrete under split tension

In the present paper, a mesoscale model is adopted to model the concrete behaviour under split tension. The concrete material is assumed to consist of coarse aggregates, mortar matrix, and interfacial transition zone (ITZ). In the mesh generation process, random coarse aggregate particles are generated from a certain aggregate size distribution and then placed into the mortar matrix with ITZ between the coarse aggregate edge and the mortar matrix. Different aggragate shapes, i.e., circular, oval, and polygons, are modelled to analyse the the gravel and crushed stone aggregates, respectively. Numerical simulation is used to model the dynamic damage response of a typical cube concrete specimen under split tension. Velocity boundary is added as a dynamic loading. Computational results obtained agree well with the normal experimental results. On the macroscale level, reasonable tensile stress-strain relationships obtained; on the mesoscale level, the stress wave distribution and the crack pattern are affected by the aggregate distribution.