Simulation of strain-hardening in ECC uniaxial test specimen by use of a damage mechanics formulation

This paper discusses the considerations for the establishment of a damage model for ECC. Three different length scales are used in the approach for deriving the damage model. On each length scale important phenomena are investigated by use of numerical and analytical calculations. On the micro scale it is shown that the cohesive law for a unidirectional fiber reinforced cementitious composite can be found through superposition of the cohesive law for mortar and the fiber bridging curve. On the meso scale I it is shown that the maximum crack opening observed during crack propagation in ECC is small, 20 ¹m and also small compared to typical deformations at peak bridging stress. On the meso scale II interaction between initial flaws and micro cracks was observed. A framework is presented for the formulation of a damage mechanics model comprising the damage mechanisms on the micro and meso scale.