This book presents the latest research findings of the fast developing applications of fracture mechanics to concrete structures. Key papers from leading experts in the field describe existing and new modelling techniques in the analysis of materials and structures. The book explains the practical application of fracture mechanics to structural modelling, bending, shear, bond and anchorage. The proceedings of this RILEM Workshop will be an important reference for those engaged in design, development, research and teaching in the field of concrete structures.

This new book on the fracture mechanics of concrete focuses on the latest developments in computational theories, and how to apply those theories to solve real engineering problems. Zihai Shi uses his extensive research experience to present detailed examination of multiple-crack analysis and mixed-mode fracture.Compared with other mature engineering disciplines, fracture mechanics of concrete is still a developing field with extensive new research and development. In recent years many different models and applications have been proposed for crack analysis; the author assesses these in turn, identifying their limitations and offering a detailed treatment of those which have been proved to be robust by comprehensive use. After introducing stress singularity in numerical modelling and some basic modelling techniques, the Extended Fictitious Crack Model (EFCM) for multiple-crack analysis is explained with numerical application examples. This theoretical model is then applied to study two important issues in fracture mechanics - crack interaction and localization, and fracture modes and maximum loads. The EFCM is then reformulated to include the shear transfer mechanism on crack surfaces and the method is used to study experimental problems. With a carefully balanced mixture of theory, experiment and application, Crack Analysis in Structural Concrete is an important contribution to this fast-developing field of structural analysis in concrete. Latest theoretical models analysed and tested Detailed assessment of multiple crack analysis and multi-mode fractures Applications designed for solving real-life engineering problems

This conference is the first in a series of conferences dedicated to Fracture Mechanics of Concrete Structures. Due to the recent explosion of interest in research on fracture in concrete, the conference has brought together the world's leading researchers in fracture of concrete and this book contains the proceedings.

Concrete has traditionally been known as a material used widely in the construction of roads, bridges and buildings. Since cost effectiveness has always been one of the more important aspects of design, concrete, when reinforced and/or prestressed, is finding more use in other areas of application such as floating marine structures, storage tanks, nuclear vessel containments and a host of other structures. Because of the demand for concrete to operate under different loading and environmen tal conditions, increasing attention has been paid to study concrete specimens and structure behavior. A subject of major concern is how the localized segregation of the constituents in concrete would affect its global behavior. The degree of nonhomogeneity due to material property and damage. by yielding and/or cracking depends on the size scale and loading rate under consideration. Segregation or clustering of aggregates at the macroscopic level will affect specimen behavior to a larger degree than it would to a large structure such as a dam. Hence, a knowledge of concrete behavior over a wide range of scale is desired. The parameters governing micro-and macro-cracking and the techniques for evaluating and observing the damage in concrete need to be better understood. This volume is intended to be an attempt in this direction. The application of Linear Elastic Fracture Mechanics to concrete is discussed in several of the chapters.

Proceedings of a workshop in Abisko, Sweden, June 1989. the 21 papers describe existing and developing modelling techniques for the analysis of the materials and structures of concrete. They explain the practical application of fracture mechanics to structural modelling, bending, shear, bond, and anchorage. Of interest to designers and researchers of concrete structures. Distributed by VNR. Acidic paper. Annotation(c) 2003 Book News, Inc., Portland, OR (booknews.com)