Statistical damage model for quasi-brittle materials under uniaxial tension

Based on the parallel bar system, combining with the synergetic method, the catastrophe theory and the acoustic emission test, a new motivated statistical damage model for quasi-brittle solid was developed. Taking concrete for instances, the rationality and the flexibility of this model and its parameters-determining method were identified by the comparative analyses between theoretical and experimental curves. The results show that the model can simulate the whole damage and fracture process in the fracture process zone of material when the materials are exposed to quasi-static uniaxial tensile traction. The influence of the mesoscopic damage mechanism on the macroscopic mechanical properties of quasi-brittle materials is summarized into two aspects, rupture damage and yield damage. The whole damage course is divided into the statistical even damage phase and the local breach phase, corresponding to the two stages described by the catastrophe theory. The two characteristic states, the peak nominal stress state and the critical state are distinguished, and the critical state plays a key role during the whole damage evolution course.