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Computers and Concrete
  Volume 23, Number 4, April 2019 , pages 235-243
DOI: https://doi.org/10.12989/cac.2019.23.4.235
 


The continuous-discontinuous Galerkin method applied to crack propagation
Tiago L.D. Forti, Nadia C.S. Forti, Fábio L.G. Santos and Marco A. Carnio

 
Abstract
    The discontinuous Galerkin method (DGM) has become widely used as it possesses several qualities, such as a natural ability to dealing with discontinuities. DGM has its major success related to fluid mechanics. Its major importance is the ability to deal with discontinuities and still provide high order of approximation. That is an important advantage when simulating cracking propagation. No remeshing is necessary during the propagation, since the crack path follows the interface of elements. However, DGM comes with the drawback of an increased number of degrees of freedom when compared to the classical continuous finite element method. Thus, it seems a natural approach to combine them in the same simulation obtaining the advantages of both methods. This paper proposes the application of the combined continuous-discontinuous Galerkin method (CDGM) to crack propagation. An important engineering problem is the simulation of crack propagation in concrete structures. The problem is characterized by discontinuities that evolve throughout the domain. Crack propagation is simulated using CDGM. Discontinuous elements are placed in regions with discontinuities and continuous elements elsewhere. The cohesive zone model describes the fracture process zone where softening effects are expressed by cohesive zones in the interface of elements. Two numerical examples demonstrate the capacities of CDGM. In the first example, a plain concrete beam is submitted to a three-point bending test. Numerical results are compared to experimental data from the literature. The second example deals with a full-scale ground slab, comparing the CDGM results to numerical and experimental data from the literature.
 
Key Words
    finite elements; discontinuous Galerkin; cracking propagation; cohesive fracture; concrete; steel-fiber reinforced concrete
 
Address
Tiago L.D. Forti: Simworx R&D, Campinas-SP, Brazil
Nadia C.S. Forti: Pontifical Catholic University of Campinas, Campinas-SP, Brazil
Fábio L.G. Santos: Simworx R&D, Campinas-SP, Brazil
Marco A. Carnio: Evolução Engenharia, Valinhos-SP, Brazil
 

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