Damage Assessment using an Inverse Fracture Mechanics approach

Cracks Analysis in Zavin Concrete Dam Using Fracture Mechanics Approach

Most of the existing concrete dams are subjected to cracking. These cracks are caused by various factors such as construction practices, curing, loads and volume change of mass concrete which reduce the efficiency, failure or instability of concrete dams. Using fracture mechanics as a new method to estimate stability and durability of concrete dams is recommended in scientific publications in w...

Damage and Fracture Mechanics

Interfaces between two different mixes or strengths of concrete appear in large concrete structures involving mass concreting such as dams, nuclear containment vessels, cooling towers etc., since joints between successive lifts are inevitable. These joints and interfaces are potential sites for crack formation, leading to weakening of mechanical strength and subsequent failure. Research involvi...

‌Progressive Damage Analysis of Laminated Composites using Continuum Damage Mechanics

In this paper, progressive damage and global failure of composite laminates under quasi-static, monotonic loading are investigated using 3D continuum damage mechanics. For this purpose, a finite element program has been developed using an eight-node 2D layered element including layer-wise plate theory. Damage analysis of a single orthotropic layer under various uniform in-plane and transverse l...

Experimental Analysis of Fracture and Damage Mechanics of Pre-Stressed Concrete Sleepers B70: Part B- Analysis

Initial cracks occur in high strength concrete sleepers for various reasons, such as shrinkage and wrong curing and long lifetime of over 50 years of sleepers. These cracks may lead to complete failure of the structure. In order to more accurately design the sleepers, fracture mechanics (not strength of materials) should be incorporated. In order to achieve this purpose, it is important to fore...

A Hierarchical Approach to Fracture Mechanics

Damage identification using inverse methods.

This paper gives an overview of the use of inverse methods in damage detection and location, using measured vibration data. Inverse problems require the use of a model and the identification of uncertain parameters of this model. Damage is often local in nature and although the effect of the loss of stiffness may require only a small number of parameters, the lack of knowledge of the location m...