Novel 2.5D layered model to simulate discrete crack growth in concrete specimens

The paper presents a novel 2.5D model to simulate concrete or reinforced concrete specimens.The main idea of this approach is to define the set of 2D plane models extracted from the 3D model or specimen's microtomography (CT) scan along selected direction.The definition of several cut planes allows for defining different material and geometrical configurations (e.g.different mesostructure topology and the inclusion of reinforced bars).These plane cuts can be analysed independently as simple standalone 2D models, but they also can interact with neighbouring plane or planes.Interaction between planes is adhered to by adding a set of horizontal and vertical springs with a prescribed stiffness.Consequently, the proposed approach is still a two-dimensional model but is capable of mimicking the behaviour of three-dimensional specimens.A detailed description of the method is provided, along with some preliminary results, and the difference between pure 2D simulations and the 2.5D approach is outlined.