Mesoscale Fracture Evolution in Concrete: Insights from GPU-Accelerated 3D Discrete Element Simulations with Realistic Aggregate Morphologies
Source abstract
Abstract
Deciphering the fracture mechanisms of concrete at the mesoscale is pivotal for predicting the structural integrity of quasi-brittle materials.This study develops a high-fidelity 3D discrete element method (DEM) framework, characterized by real-shaped, crushable aggregates and a sophisticated contact constitutive model designed to address the inherent limitations of traditional DEM, such as insufficient compression-to-tension ratios and the lack of softening effects.Implemented on the opensource platform MUSEN with GPU-accelerated computing, the model enables large-scale simulations of wedge splitting tests (WST) with unprecedented efficiency.Validation against laboratory experiments confirms the model's capability to capture the macroscopic mechanical response and the intricate F-CMOD relationship.Through the evolution of internal principal stress fields, the study clarifies how boundary-induced end effects and mesoscopic heterogeneity govern crack initiation and propagation.Furthermore, a parametric analysis of aggregate and interfacial transition zone (ITZ) strengths reveals a fundamental transition from transgranular to intergranular failure modes.The results quantify the crack-bridging and toughening mechanisms provided by aggregates, providing a robust computational tool for the multiscale design and safety assessment of concrete structures.
Source: openalex_inverted_index · Quality: baseline
Research context
OpenAlex topics: Rock Mechanics and Modeling · Numerical methods in engineering · High-Velocity Impact and Material Behavior
SciVX discovery tags are terminology-based. OpenAlex topics are source-provided classifications.
Affiliations
Institute of Mechanics, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, China.
State Key laboratory of Tunnel Engineering, China University of Mining and Technology Beijing, Beijing, China.
School of Mechanics and Civil Engineering, China University of Mining and Technology Beijing, Beijing, China.
Jinan Rail Transit Urban Construction Segment Manufacturing Co., Ltd., China.
Jinan Rail Transit Group Co., Ltd., China.
References (42)
Show source-provided references
1. 1) Bažant, Z., Le, J.-L., & Salviato, M. (2022). Quasibrittle fracture mechanics and size effect. Oxford: Oxford University Press.10.1093/oso/9780192846242.001.0001 ↗
2. 2) Chaves, E. W. V. (2013). Notes on continuum mechanics. Berlin: Springer Netherlands.10.1007/978-94-007-5986-2 ↗
3. 3) Christoffersen, J., Mehrabadi, M. M., & Nemat-Nasser, S. (1981). A micromechanical description of granular material behavior. Journal of Applied Mechanics, 48(2), 339. https://doi.org/10.1115/1.315761910.1115/1.3157619 ↗
4. 4) Cundall, P. A., & Strack, O. D. L. (1979). A discrete numerical model for granular assemblies. Géotechnique, 29(1), 47-65.10.1680/geot.1979.29.1.47 ↗
5. 5) Dosta, M., & Skorych, V. (2020). MUSEN: An open-source framework for GPU-accelerated DEM simulations. SoftwareX , 12, 100618.10.1016/j.softx.2020.100618 ↗
6. 6) Fuller, W. B., & Thompson, S. E. (1907). The laws of proportioning concrete. Transactions of the American Society of Civil Engineers, 59, 67-143.10.1061/TACEAT.0001979 ↗
7. 7) Gong, F., Wang, Z., Zhou, Y., Wang, J., Yang, L., & Ueda, T. (2022). Mesoscale simulation of frost damage to rock material based on rigid body spring method. Cold Regions Science and Technology, 201, 103621.10.1016/j.coldregions.2022.103621 ↗
8. 8) Gong, F., Yang, L., Wang, Z., Jia, J., Ning, Y., & Ueda, T. (2023). Mesoscale discrete analysis of mechanical properties of recycled aggregate concrete based on Voronoi mesh. Construction and Building Materials, 370, 130649.10.1016/j.conbuildmat.2023.130649 ↗
9. 9) Guinea, G. V., El-Sayed, K., & Rocco, C. G. (2002). The effect of the bond between the matrix and the aggregates on the cracking mechanism and fracture parameters of concrete. Cement and Concrete Research, 32(12), 1961-1970.10.1016/S0008-8846(02)00902-X ↗
10. 10) Herfort, D., Moir, G. K., Johansen, V., Sorrentino, F., & Arceo, H. B. (2010). The chemistry of Portland cement clinker. Advances in Cement Research, 22(4), 187-194.10.1680/adcr.2010.22.4.187 ↗
11. 11) Huang, J., & Li, V. (1989). A meso-mechanical model of the tensile behaviour of concrete, Part 2: Modelling of post-peak tension softening behaviour. Composites, 20(4), 370-378.10.1016/0010-4361(89)90662-9 ↗
12. 12) ITASCA. (2014). Particle flow code in 2 and 3 dimensions, PFC version 5.0 (Computer software manual). Minneapolis, Minnesota: Itasca Consulting Group, Inc.
13. 13) Karihaloo, B. L., Nallathambi, P., & Heaton, B. S. (1984). Effect of specimen and crack sizes, water cement ratio and coarse aggregate texture upon fracture toughness of concrete. Magazine of Concrete Research, 36(129), 227-236.10.1680/macr.1984.36.129.227 ↗
14. 14) Lavagna, L., & Nisticò, R. (2023). An insight into the chemistry of cement—A review. Applied Sciences, 13(1), 0203.10.3390/app13010203 ↗
15. 15) Li, F., Feng, J. L., & Chen, X. (2024). Modeling of the fracture behaviors of concrete using 3D discrete element method with softening effect. Theoretical and Applied Fracture Mechanics, 133, 104597.10.1016/j.tafmec.2024.104597 ↗
16. 16) Li, F., Li, H., Feng, J., & Chen, X. (2026). 3D discrete element modeling of mixed-mode dynamic fracture in high-strength concrete. Engineering Fracture Mechanics, 331, 111690.10.1016/j.engfracmech.2025.111690 ↗
17. 17) Monteiro, P. J. M., & Mehta, P. K. (2013). Concrete: Microstructure, properties, and materials. Englewood Cliffs, New Jersey: Prentice-Hall Inc.
18. 18) Naderi, S., Tu, W., & Zhang, M. (2021). Meso-scale modelling of compressive fracture in concrete with irregularly shaped aggregates. Cement and Concrete Research, 140, 106317.10.1016/j.cemconres.2020.106317 ↗
19. 19) Nitka, M., & Tejchman, J. (2018). A three-dimensional meso-scale approach to concrete fracture based on combined DEM with X-ray CT images. Cement and Concrete Research, 107, 11-29.10.1016/j.cemconres.2018.02.006 ↗
20. 20) Nitka, M., & Tejchman, J. (2020). Meso-mechanical modelling of damage in concrete using discrete element method with porous ITZs of defined width around aggregates. Engineering Fracture Mechanics, 231, 107029.10.1016/j.engfracmech.2020.107029 ↗
21. 21) Nitka, M., & Tejchman, J. (2025). Effects of aggregate crushing and strain rate on fracture in compressive concrete with a DEM-based breakage model. Granular Matter, 27 (1), 008.10.1007/s10035-024-01487-3 ↗
22. 22) Potyondy, D. (2012). A flat-jointed bonded-particle material for hard rock. In: 46th U.S. Rock Mechanics/Geomechanics Symposium. Chicago 24-27 June 2012. Alexandria, Virginia: American Rock Mechanics Association, Vol. 3, 1501-1519.
23. 23) Potyondy, D. (2018). A flat-jointed bonded-particle model for rock. In: 52nd U.S. Rock Mechanics/Geomechanics Symposium. Seattle, Washington 17-20 June 2018. Alexandria, Virginia: American Rock Mechanics Association, Vol. 3, 2174-2185.
24. 24) Potyondy, D., & Cundall, P. (2004). A bonded-particle model for rock. International Journal of Rock Mechanics and Mining Sciences, 41(8), 1329-1364.10.1016/j.ijrmms.2004.09.011 ↗
25. 25) Quentrec, B., & Brot, C. (1975). New method for searching for neighbors in molecular dynamics computations. Journal of Computational Physics, 13(3), 430-432.10.1016/0021-9991(73)90046-6 ↗
26. 26) Scrivener, K., Crumbie, A., & Laugesen, P. (2004). The interfacial transition zone (ITZ) between cement paste and aggregate in concrete. Interface Science, 12(4), 411-421.10.1023/B:INTS.0000042339.92990.4c ↗
27. 27) Siregar, A. P. (2016). The effect of aggregate size distribution on fracture mechanic of concrete. Thesis (Doctoral). University of Surrey.
28. 28) Skarzynski, L., Nitka, M., & Tejchman, J. (2015). Modelling of concrete fracture at aggregate level using FEM and DEM based on X-ray µCT images of internal structure. Engineering Fracture Mechanics, 147, 13-35.10.1016/j.engfracmech.2015.08.010 ↗
29. 29) Verlet, L. (1967). Computer ”experiments” on classical fluids. I. Thermodynamical properties of Lennard-Jones molecules. Physical Review, 159(1), 98-103.10.1103/PhysRev.159.98 ↗
30. 30) Wang, C., & Feng, J. (2025). Fracture process zone of dynamic cracks in brittle materials based on material configurational mechanics. Theoretical and Applied Fracture Mechanics, 138, 104922.10.1016/j.tafmec.2025.104922 ↗
31. 31) Wang, S., Fu, L., Xi, H., Qiu, Y., & Zhou, S. (2025). A novel update criterion of Verlet list for accelerating DEM computation when modeling geotechnical dense granular materials under periodic loading. Computational Particle Mechanics, 12(6), 5111-5127.10.1007/s40571-025-00986-1 ↗
32. 32) Wittmann, F. H. (1989). Structure of concrete with respect to crack formation. In: F. H. Wittmann, Ed. Fracture Mechanics of Concrete. London and New York: Elsevier Science Publishers.
33. 33) Wong, Y. L., Lam, L., Poon, C. S., & Zhou, S. P. (1999). Properties of fly ash-modified cement mortar-aggregate interfaces. Cement and Concrete Research, 29(12), 1905-1913.10.1016/S0008-8846(99)00189-1 ↗
34. 34) Wu, K. R., Chen, B., & Yao, W. (2001). Effect of coarse aggregate type on mechanical properties of high- performance concrete. Cement and Concrete Research, 31(10), 1421-1425.10.1016/S0008-8846(01)00588-9 ↗
35. 35) Wu, S., & Xu, X. (2016). A study of three intrinsic problems of the classic discrete element method using flat-joint model. Rock Mechanics and Rock Engineering, 49(5), 1813-1830.10.1007/s00603-015-0890-z ↗
36. 36) Xu, S., & Reinhardt, H. W. (1999). Determination of double-determination of double-k criterion for crack propagation in quasi-brittle fracture, Part I: Experimental investigation of crack propagation. International Journal of Fracture, 98(2), 111-149.10.1023/A:1018668929989 ↗
37. 37) Yang, L., Li, K., Hu, X., Peng, Z., Liu, Q.-f., & Shi, C. (2024). Mesoscopic discrete modeling of compression and fracture behavior of concrete: Effects of aggregate size distribution and interface transition zone. Cement & Concrete Composites, 147, 105411.10.1016/j.cemconcomp.2023.105411 ↗
38. 38) Yang, W., Feng, X.-Q., & Gao, H. (2026). Outstanding issues and emerging frontiers in fracture mechanics. International Journal of Fracture, 250(1), 010.10.1007/s10704-025-00907-6 ↗
39. 39) Yang, Z., Zhu, H., Zhang, B., Wang, Q., Wu, P., Yang, T., & Dong, Z. (2025). Predictive theoretical model for elastic modulus of marine geopolymer concrete: Insights into micro-mesoscopic components and alkaline content effects. Computers & Structures, 316, 107876.10.1016/j.compstruc.2025.107876 ↗
40. 40) Zhang, S., Zhang, C., Liao, L., & Wang, C. (2018). Numerical study of the effect of ITZ on the failure behaviour of concrete by using particle element modelling. Construction and Building Materials, 170, 776-789.10.1016/j.conbuildmat.2018.03.040 ↗
41. 41) Zhi, D., Gong, F., Wang, Z., Zhao, Y., & Ueda, T. (2023). RBSM-based mesoscale study of frost deterioration for recycled concrete considering air-entrainment in old and new mortar. Journal of Building Engineering, 68, 106210.10.1016/j.jobe.2023.106210 ↗
42. 42) Zhou, X., Xie, Y., Long, G., Zeng, X., & Pan, Z. (2021). DEM analysis of the effect of interface transition zone on dynamic splitting tensile behavior of high-strength concrete based on multi-phase model. Cement and Concrete Research, 149(2), 106577.10.1016/j.cemconres.2021.106577 ↗