Prediction of crack pattern distribution in reinforced concrete by coupling a strong discontinuity model of concrete cracking and a bond-slip of reinforcement model

Purpose - To provide a reinforced concrete model including bonding coupled to a classical continuum damage model of concrete, capable of predicting numerically the crack pattern distribution in a RC structure, subjected to traction forces. Design/methodology/approach - A new coupling between bonding model and an alternative model for concrete cracking is proposed and analyzed. For concrete, proposes a damage-like material model capable of combining two types of dissipative mechanisms: diffuse volume dissipation and localized surface dissipation. Findings - One of the most important contributions is the capacity of predicting maximal and minimal spacing of macro-cracks, even if the exact location of cracks remains undetermined. Another contribution is to reiterate on the insufficiency of the local damage model of concrete to handle this class of problems; much in the same manner as for localization problem which accompany strain-softening behavior. Practical implications - Bonding becomes very important to evaluate both the integrity and durability of a RC structure, or in particular to a reliable prediction of crack spacing and opening, and it should be integrated in future analysis of RC. Originality/ value - Shows that introduction of the influence of concrete heterogeneities in numerical analysis can directly affect the configuration of the crack pattern distribution. Use of a strong discontinuity approach provides additional cracking information like opening of macro-cracks.