Simulação de fratura em paredes de escala reduzida com cortes utilizando o método dos elementos discretos formado por barras

Abstract

This work aims to numerically represent tests carried out experimentally on small scale walls (1:5) with horizontal and inclined chases using the Discrete Mesh Element Method (LDEM) implemented in an Abaqus/explicit environment. Identifying in this way if the depth and orientation of the chases influence the mechanical behavior of the walls, the propagation of cracks and the failure mode. The cuts were made with depths of 20%, 30% and 50% on the walls subjected to centered loading. Different boundary conditions were used in order to obtain the best possible representation of the experimental results. Models were simulated with labeled-crimped and labeled-labeled support configurations. The parameters used to evaluate the numerical model are its strength, failure mode and in-plane and out-of-plane displacements. A good representation of the experimental results was achieved, reaching variation rates below 10% in some cases. In addition, the fracture mode characterized by bending obtained in the experimental tests was achieved, except in the case of the inclined cut with 50% reduction, where shear failure was observed. As expected, as the thickness of the sections was increased, the walls resisted compressive loading less. The boundary condition that best represented the experimental results of the walls with central horizontal cuts was the labeled-labeled type, whereas the models with inclined and superior horizontal cuts had better performance in the labeled-embedded type. The setting makes the structure more rigid, and in some cases, when labeling it is possible to get closer to the experimental results.