An Energy Model for Bifurcation Analysis of a Double-Notched Concrete Panel: Continuum Model

Abstract

In this paper, the uni-axial tension of double-notched concrete specimens is analyzed by using a continuum plasticity model. As in a companion paper, the concept of minimization of the second-order energy is used as the criterion for judging a bifurcation. The energy computation is formulated in standard continuum plasticity. The analysis confirms that the unsymmetrical crack propagation (i.e. strains localizing on one side of the specimen) may occur either before or after the peak load. Influences on bifurcation of three factors, the notch depth to panel width, the local constitutive law, and the ratio of the panel width to panel length are investigated. A larger ratio of the notch depth to panel width, a steeper softening constitutive law, and a smaller ratio of the panel width to panel length, leads to an earlier bifurcation. These conclusions are consistent with those obtained from a simplified model.