Simulation of fracture propagation in fibre-reinforced concrete using FDEM: an application to tunnel linings
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Simulation of fracture propagation in fibre-reinforced concrete using FDEM: an application to tunnel linings A. Farsi1
· A. Bedi2 · J. P. Latham1 · K. Bowers3
Received: 19 June 2019 / Revised: 16 November 2019 / Accepted: 28 November 2019 © The Author(s) 2019
Abstract The application of the combined finite-discrete element method (FDEM) to simulate fracture propagation in fibre-reinforcedconcrete (FRC)-lined tunnels has been investigated. This constitutes the first attempt of using FDEM for the simulation of fracture in FRC structures. The mathematical implementations of the new FDEM joint-element constitutive model are first introduced, and the numerical model is then validated comparing the results for plain and FRC beams with three-point bending experimental data. The code has also been applied to two practical tunnel design case studies, showing different behaviours depending on the type of concrete and shape of tunnel section. The FDEM simulations of the linings are also compared with results from a finite element code that is commonly used in the engineering design practise. These results show the capabilities of FDEM for better understanding of the fracture mechanics and crack propagation in FRC tunnels. A methodology for directly inferring the numerical parameters from three-point bending tests is also illustrated. The results of this research can be applied to any FRC structure. Keywords Numerical simulation · Combined finite-discrete element method · Joint-element constitutive model · Three-point bending test
1 Introduction Further developments in fibre-reinforced concrete (FRC) technology, with the utilisation of a variety of fibre materials (e.g. steel, plastic, carbon, etc.) and geometries, have increased the interest in FRC structures. FRC is now widely used for tunnel linings. Following the collapse of the Heathrow Express Rail Link tunnel in 1994 (and 39 other major fibre-reinforced sprayed tunnel collapses worldwide), a review by the Health and Safety Executive [1] concluded that some safety-critical aspects of fibre-reinforced tunnel design and construction were poorly understood. Moreover, the complex interaction of fibres and concrete for the cracking performance of FRC for its structural design still need to be better understood and quantified. This opens the door to
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A. Farsi [email protected]
1
Applied Modelling and Computation Group, Department of Earth Science and Engineering , Imperial College London, South Kensington Campus, London SW7 2AZ, UK
2
Bedi Consulting Ltd, London, UK
3
London Underground Limited, London, UK
the application of computational methods for simulating the mechanical behaviour and fracturing of FRC structures. Interest in simulating fracture propagation extends across a variety of scientific and engineering fields, such as structural analysis, material design, nuclear waste disposal risk assessment, oil and gas reservoir engineering and subsurface ore mining [2]. Numerical simulations are performed in order to predict the formation and behaviour of
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