Interpretation of Tensile Softening in Concrete, Using Fractal Geometry

Abstract

Concrete is a heterogeneous material with a wide variety of usage in structural design. Concrete under tension exhibits strain softening, i.e., a negative slope in the stress{deformation diagrams. Di erent softening curves have been proposed in the literature to interpret this phenomenon. In current research, a new softening curve for concrete has been proposed by using the newly introduced concept of fractal geometry. This new softening curve is denominated a 'Quasi-fractal' softening curve and consists of two parts, a linear portion at the beginning and an exponential portion in the rest of the curve. A comparison of a Quasi-fractal" softening curve with a set of proposed experimental softening curves has been performed, which reveals good agreement.