Adjustments of Fatigue Crack Growth Rate of Concrete Based on MFEM Numerical Approach
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Fatigue damage in concrete structures remains one of the least understood degradation mechanisms, despite extensive experimental investigation. Fatigue tests are typically performed under load-controlled conditions with constant force amplitude, where stresses are commonly evaluated using simplified Euler beam theory. Such an approach does not adequately account for the inherent heterogeneity of concrete, including elastic mismatch between aggregates and matrix, fracture process zone development, and aggregate bridging effects. By employing mesoscale finite element (MFEM) modelling, these heterogeneities can be explicitly represented, enabling a more realistic evaluation of stress fields governing fatigue damage. Improved stress estimation provides a more reliable basis for predicting fatigue lifetime under cyclic loading. This contribution presents modelling strategies that lead to improved assessment of S–N curves and, consequently, a refined description of fatigue crack growth behaviour in concrete.
