Progressive Finite Element Fracture Analysis of Pullout Concrete

Abstract

It is accepted practice to test field‐cast cylinders in the laboratory under control conditions, then assume that the determined strength is representative of the compressive strength of the concrete in the structure itself. In recent years, pullout tests have been increasingly used to evaluate the compressive strength of in‐place concrete. In this paper, it is emphasized that concrete subjected to a pull‐out force experiences a complex state of behavior, the existence of which cannot be attributed to a uniaxial state of stress. First, a brief review of the experimental studies is presented, and the relevant theoretical studies are evaluated. This is followed by a discussion of the numerical modeling scheme adopted in the present study. Finally, along with a parameter study, the writers describe the progressive failure of concrete subjected to pullout tests based on their plastic‐fracture predictive finite element analysis.