Issue 73

H. S. Vishwanatha et alii, Fracture and Structural Integrity, 73 (2025) 23-40; DOI: 10.3221/IGF-ESIS.73.03

Figure 3: Interfaces in microstructure.

(a)Aggregates

(b)Matrix

© Cohesive elements at ITZ

(d) Cohesive elements at Cement matrix

Figure 4: Heterogeneous region for SSA and RSA models.

M ATERIAL PROPERTIES

n the FE model, the solid elements representing the mortar and aggregates are assumed to follow linear elastic behavior. Most of the deformation between adjacent solid elements is accommodated by the cohesive elements. The solid elements experience deformation only while the cohesive elements remain in their linear elastic range. Due to the extremely high initial stiffness of the cohesive elements, their deformation in this range is minimal, resulting in negligible deformation of the solid elements. I

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