Numerical modeling of strain localization and interface damage in cement based materials

In this paper, the interface damage and strain localization within the matrix are modeled for a representative volume element (RVE) of concrete. The development of displacement discontinuities along interfaces is simulated using the Extended Finite Element Method (XFEM). A new cohesive interface damage model is proposed to describe the progressive debonding process. For modeling the strain localization (microcrack growth) in cement paste …