A modified applied element model to simulate the behaviour of plain concrete continuum structures including discrete cracking is proposed in this study. In the classical applied element model, Poisson effects are fully ignored. To remediate this issue, diagonal elements are introduced to include the Poisson effect, and the constitutive parameters are rigorously determined using the Cauchy–Born rule and the hyper-elastic theory. The formulation is validated for linear elastic problems and the consistency and convergence behaviour of the numerical approach is shown. Tensile softening formulation using the concept of fracture energy is utilised for the nonlinear range. In this range, the approach is validated using the classical benchmark tests with pure tensile, split-tensile, combined shear-tensile and bending dominated push-over loading. The load–displacement behaviour and crack response were captured successfully, showing the proposed methodology can be used to quantify discrete cracks on large systems, such as dam monoliths, from initiation to significant damage levels.

中文翻译：

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用于模拟素混凝土性能的改进应用单元模型

本研究提出了一种改进的应用单元模型来模拟素混凝土连续体结构的行为，包括离散开裂。在经典的应用单元模型中，泊松效应被完全忽略。为了解决这个问题，引入了对角线元素以包括泊松效应，并使用柯西-伯恩规则和超弹性理论严格确定了本构参数。该公式针对线弹性问题进行了验证，并显示了数值方法的一致性和收敛性。使用断裂能概念的拉伸软化公式用于非线性范围。在此范围内，该方法使用经典基准测试进行验证，包括纯拉伸、分裂拉伸、组合剪切拉伸和弯曲主导的推覆载荷。