Simulation of Soil‐Concrete Interfaces with Nonlocal Constitutive Models

Abstract

This investigation explores a method for predicting deformation in the vicinity of interfaces of dissimilar materials. Instead of using a slide‐line algorithm or interface elements, a new nonlocal approach for simulating the response near soil‐concrete interfaces is proposed. It is assumed that the stress field is a function of both strain and strain gradients, and that no slip occurs at the contact surface between soil and concrete. Different response features for the region of localized shear strain adjacent to the interface can be obtained by adjusting material parameters. Numerical results for static and dynamic cases show that softening and localization are handled in a stable manner independent of mesh size.