A micromechanical damage model for concrete

The present paper proposes a constitutive theory for concrete based on the geometry of its mesostructure and the actual kinetics of the microcrack evolution. The only material parameters used within the context of the proposed formulation are those associated with the elastic, macroscopic response and the critical stress intensity factors of the constituent phases. The model allows for a rational determination of the response in function of the volume fraction of the coarse aggregate, sieving curve, distribution and size of initial defects, relative strengths of the cement and aggregate, etc.