A test for delaying localization in tension. Numerical interpretation through a probabilistic approach
Résumé
A critical analysis of a tensile test is presented through a probabilistic model describing the random behavior of heterogeneous materials. Simulations of experimental tests are in aggrement with the experimental results and show that the hypothesis of homogeneity of the strain field within the specimen is not correct all over the load history. Strain localization appears producing a first macrocrack, just followed by a second one and in some cases by a third one. It remains however possible with some assumptions to use this test for identifying the behavior of the concrete.