Crack models with embedded discontinuities

Abstract

This chapter presents a methodological approach for modeling concrete crack problems based on continuum constitutive relations and strong discontinuity kinematics. Fundamentalaspects of this approach are presented in the initial Sections1 -2. The topics and ideas discussed in those points follow closely the work of Oliver et al.A Finite Element technique with embedded strong discontinuities, particularly adapted for this methodology, is shown in Section 3. In the final Sections 4- 6, some algorithmic aspects and several applications of the approach are addressed.