Discrete modeling of deterministic size effect of normal-strength and ultra-high performance concrete under compression

Size effect of heterogeneous granular materials under tensile loading is a well known phenomenon and the subsequent size laws are widely available in scientific literature. On contrary, compression scarcely studied, which, especially for concrete, more significant its brittle failure mode practical applications. This paper investigates deterministic concretes including normal strength concrete (NSC) an ultra high performance (UHPC). The Lattice Discrete Particle Model (LDPM) selected to determine compressive broad range sizes utilizing experimental-based calibrated data sets. simulated tests include both cylinders prisms with diameter/width from 150 mm 600 50 200 UHPC. investigated aspect ratio ranges 1 16. It found that strengths show no low friction loading, magnitude decreases rising loading. literature not able fit obtained new law formula named ComSEL3D proposed terms diameter ratio. correlation by above 0.99, which shows excellent ability describing predicting behavior cylindrical prism shapes. also outperforms formulas matching experimental results various compression.