Bifurcation and instability modelling by a multimechanism elasto‐plastic model

The bifurcation and instability conditions in geomechanics are closely related to the elasto‐plastic behaviour. In this paper the potential of a multimechanism elasto‐plastic model to predict various modes of failure is examined. First, a brief overview for the essential aspects of the constitutive model and the development of the elasto‐plastic constitutive matrix for this model are presented. Then, numerical simulations of different drained and undrained paths in the axisymmetric and plane‐strain conditions for the Hostun sand are illustrated. These examples confirm the capacity of the model to reproduce instability and strain localization phenomena. The obtained response is in agreement with experimental observations, theoretical developments and numerical analyses existing in the literature. Copyright © 2007 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Efficient solution algorithms for multiaxial probabilistic elasto‐plastic constitutive simulations of soils

A Fokker‐Planck‐Kolmogorov (FPK) equation approach has recently been developed to probabilistically solve any elastic‐plastic constitutive equation with uncertain material parameters by transforming the nonlinear, stochastic constitutive rate equation into a linear, deterministic partial differential equation (PDE) and thereby simplifying the numerical solution process. For an uniaxial problem, conventional numerical techniques, such as the finite difference or finite element methods, may be used to solve the resulting univariate FPK PDE. However, for a multiaxial problem, an efficient algorithm is necessary for tractability of the numerical solution of the multivariate FPK PDE. In this paper, computationally efficient algorithms, based on a Fourier spectral approach, are presented for solving FPK PDEs in (stress) space and (pseudo) time, having space‐independent but time‐dependent coefficients and both space‐ and time‐dependent coefficients, that commonly arise in probabilistic elasto‐plasticity. The algorithms are illustrated by probabilistically simulating 2 common laboratory constitutive experiments in geotechnical engineering, namely, the unconfined compression test and the unconsolidated undrained triaxial compression test.     

Thermo‐hydro‐mechanical modeling of damage in unsaturated porous media: Theoretical framework and numerical study of the EDZ

The damage model presented in this article (named ‘THHMD’ model) is dedicated to non‐isothermal unsaturated porous media. It is formulated by means of three independent strain state variables, which are the thermodynamic conjugates of net stress, suction and thermal stress. The damage variable is a second‐order tensor. Stress/strain relationships are derived from Helmholtz free energy, which is assumed to be the sum of damaged elastic potentials and ‘crack‐closure energies’. Damage is assumed to grow with tensile strains due to net stress, with pore shrinkage due to suction and with thermal dilatation. Specific conductivities are introduced to account for the effects of cracking on the intensification and on the orientation of liquid water and vapor flows. These conductivities depend on damage and internal length parameters. The mechanical aspects of the THHMD model are validated by comparing the results of a triaxial compression test with experimental measurements found in the literature. Parametric studies of damage are performed on three different heating problems related to nuclear waste disposals. Several types of loading and boundary conditions are investigated. The thermal damage potential is thoroughly studied. The THHMD model is expected to be a useful tool in the assessment of the Excavation Damaged Zone, especially in the vicinity of nuclear waste repositories. Copyright © 2011 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Analysis of undrained cavity expansion in elasto‐plastic soils with non‐linear elasticity

A large strain analysis of undrained expansion of a spherical/cylindrical cavity in a soil modelled as non‐linear elastic modified Cam clay material is presented. The stress–strain response of the soil is assumed to obey non‐linear elasticity until yielding. A power‐law characteristic or a hyperbolic stress–strain curve is used to describe the gradual reduction of soil stiffness with shear strain. It is assumed that, after yielding, the elasto‐plastic behaviour of the soil can be described by the modified Cam clay model. Based on a closed‐form stress–strain response in undrained condition, a numerical solution is obtained with the aid of simple numerical integration technique. The results show that the stresses and the pore pressure in the soil around an expanded cavity are significantly affected by the non‐linear elasticity, especially if the soil is overconsolidated. The difference between large strain and small strain solutions in the elastic zone is not significant. The stresses and the pore pressure at the cavity wall can be expressed as an approximate closed‐form solution. Copyright © 2001 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

陇东Q3结构性黄土压剪损伤本构模型试验研究

Q3黄土在我国西北地区分布广泛,且大部分都具有显著的结构性。随着国家“一带一路”倡议的不断向前推进,作为丝路沿线的西北黄土分布地区将迎来新的建设大潮。黄土的结构变形特性非常复杂,深入研究黄土在压缩、剪切条件下的结构损伤变形特性,并依此构建黄土的本构关系在理论研究及现场工程应用中具有非常重要的意义。通过对黄土进行均等压缩试验及三轴剪切试验,基于损伤力学思想,提出黄土结构在均等压缩条件下的平均正应力损伤比,在剪切条件下的平均正应力损伤比及偏应力损伤比。根据弹性、塑性应变确定塑性势线,进而确定其屈服函数;将确定的黄土结构损伤比引入到屈服函数中,得到一定结构损伤时黄土的屈服函数表达式;验证了选取塑性体应变作为本构模型硬化参量的合理性;根据硬化参量与相关试验参数的联系,推导出结构性黄土在压剪条件下的损伤本构模型。经过实测应力-应变曲线与本构模型推算得到的应力-应变曲线对比可知,所建立的本构模型可以较好地反映黄土在压剪条件下结构损伤演化变形过程,具有较好的工程应用前景。     

Comparison of continuous and discontinuous constitutive models to simulate concrete behaviour under mixed‐mode failure conditions

The paper presents detailed FE simulation results of concrete elements under mixed‐mode failure conditions according to the so‐called shear‐tension test by Nooru‐Mohamed, characterized by curved cracks. A continuous and discontinuous numerical two‐dimensional approach was used. In order to describe the concrete's behaviour within continuum mechanics, two different constitutive models were used. First, an elasto‐plastic model with isotropic hardening and softening was assumed. In a compression regime, a Drucker–Prager criterion with a non‐associated flow rule was used. In turn, in a tensile regime, a Rankine criterion with an associated flow rule was adopted. Second, an isotropic damage constitutive model was applied with a single scalar damage parameter and different definitions of the equivalent strain. Both constitutive laws were enriched by a characteristic length of micro‐structure to capture properly strain localization. As an alternative approach, the extended finite element method was used. Our results were compared with the experimental ones and with results of other FE simulations reported in the literature. Copyright © 2015 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Non‐coaxial elasto‐plasticity model and bifurcation prediction of shear banding in sands

Numerous constitutive models built on coaxial theory and validated under axi‐symmetric condition often describe the stress–stain relationships and predict the inceptions of shear banding in sands inaccurately under true triaxial condition. By adopting an elaborated Mohr–Coulomb yield function and using non‐coaxial non‐associated flow rule, a 3D non‐coaxial elasto‐plasticity model is proposed and validated by a series of true triaxial tests on loose sands. The bifurcation analysis of true triaxial tests on dense sands predicts the influence of the intermediate principal stress ratio on the onset of shear band accurately. The failure of soils is shown to be related to the formation of shear band under most intermediate principal stress ratio conditions except for those which are close to the axi‐symmetric compression condition. Copyright © 2009 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

An original semi‐discrete approach to assess gas conductivity of concrete structures

For civil engineering structures with a tightness role, structural permeability is a key issue. In this context, this paper presents a new proposition of a numerical modelling of leakage rate through a cracked concrete structure undergoing mode I cracking. The mechanical state of the material, considered in the framework of continuum mechanics based on finite element modelling, is described by means of the stress‐based nonlocal damage model which takes into account the stress state and provides realistic local mechanical fields. A semi‐discrete method based on the strong discontinuity approach to estimate crack opening is then considered in the post‐treatment phase. Using a Poiseuille's like relation, the coupling between the mechanical state of the material and its dry gas conductivity is performed. For validation purposes, an original experimental campaign is conducted on a dry concrete disc loaded in a splitting setup. During the loading, gas conductivity and digital image correlation analysis are performed. The comparison with the 3D experimental mechanical global response highlights the performance of the mechanical model. The comparison between crack openings measured by digital image correlation and estimated by the strong discontinuity method shows a good agreement. Finally, the results of the semi‐discrete approach coupled with the gas conductivity compared with experimental data show a good estimation of the structural conductivity. Consequently, if the mechanical problem is well modelled at the global scale, then the proposed approach provides good estimation of gas conductivity. Copyright © 2016 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

3‐D mesoscale simulation of crack‐permeability coupling in the Brazilian splitting test

In this paper, mesoscale hydromechanical simulations are performed to study (1) fracture features and (2) crack‐gas permeability coupling evolution in the context of the tensile splitting test. The mesostructure is based on a 2‐phase 3‐D representation of heterogeneous materials, such as concrete, where stiff aggregates are embedded into a mortar matrix. To take into account these heterogeneities without any mesh adaptation, a weak discontinuity is introduced into the strain field. In addition, a strong discontinuity is also added to take into account microcracking. This mechanical model is cast into the framework of the enhanced finite element method. Concerning the coupling with gas permeability, a double‐porosity method is used to simulate the flow through the cracks and the porosity. The apparent gas permeability is afterwards evaluated by a homogenization method. On the basis of finite element simulations, influence of aggregate size on ultimate crack opening, macroscopic ultimate tensile stress, total dissipated energy, and gas permeability evolution is numerically investigated. Furthermore, gas permeability evolution is also compared with experimental results from the literature. In addition, in the spirit of a sequential multiscale approach, macroscale gas permeability equations are identified from the hydromechanical results coming from the mesoscale computations. These equations lead to a relation between macroscale gas permeability evolution and crack opening. Besides, we show how the aggregate size influences the percolation threshold and that after this threshold, a cubic relation between macroscale gas permeability and crack opening is obtained.     

Review and enhancement of 3D concrete models for large‐scale numerical simulations of concrete structures

The present paper focuses on selected plasticity and damage‐plasticity models for describing the 3D material behavior of concrete. In particular, a plasticity model and a damage‐plasticity model are reviewed and evaluated. Based on the results of the evaluation, enhancements are proposed, aiming at improving the correspondence between predicted and observed material behavior and aiming at implementing a robust and efficient stress update algorithm in a finite element program for performing large‐scale 3D numerical simulations of concrete structures. The capabilities of the concrete models are demonstrated by 3D numerical simulations of benchmark tests with combined bending and torsional loading and combined compression and shear loading and by a large‐scale 3D finite element analysis of a model test of a concrete arch dam. Copyright © 2011 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Homogenization‐based analysis of anisotropic damage in brittle materials with unilateral effect and interactions between microcracks

This paper is devoted to micromechanical modeling of induced anisotropic damage in brittle geomaterials. The formulation of the model is based on a proper homogenization procedure by taking into account unilateral effects and interactions between microcracks. The homogenization procedure is developed in the framework of Eshelby's inclusion solution and Ponte‐Castaneda and Willis (J. Mech. Phys. Solids 1995; 43 :1919–1951) estimate. The homogenization technique is combined with the thermodynamics framework at microscopic level for the determination of damage evolution law. A rigorous crack opening–closure transition condition is established and an energy‐release‐rate‐based damage criterion is proposed. Computational aspects on the implementation of micromechanical model are also discussed. The proposed model is evaluated by comparing numerical predictions with experimental data for various laboratory tests on concrete. Parametric studies on unilateral effects and influences of microcracks interactions are finally performed and analyzed. Copyright © 2008 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.