A new analytical model for the prediction of concrete response under uniaxial compression and its experimental verification is presented in this paper. The proposed approach, referred to as the rheological-dynamical continuum damage model, combines rheological-dynamical analogy and damage mechanics. Within the framework of this approach the key continuum parameters such as the creep coefficient, Poisson?s ratio and damage variable are functionally related. The critical values of the creep coefficient and damage variable under peak stress are used to describe the failure mode of the concrete cylinder. The ultimate strain is determined in the post-peak regime only, using the secant stress-strain relation from damage mechanics. The post-peak branch is used for the energy analysis. Experimental data for five concrete compositions were obtained during the examination presented herein. The principal difference between compressive failure and tensile fracture is that there is a residual stress in the specimens, which is a consequence of uniformly accelerated motion of load during the examination of compressive strength. The critical interpenetration displacements and crushing energy are obtained theoretically based on the concept of global failure analysis.

Purpose: The purpose of this paper is to describe various aspects of the visco-elastoplastic (VEP) behavior of porous-hardened concrete samples in relation to standard tests.Design/methodology/approach: The problem is formulated on the basis of the rheological-dynamic analogy (RDA). In this study, changes in creep coefficient, Poisson's ratio, damage variables, modulus of elasticity, strength and angle of internal friction as a function of porosity are defined by P and S wave velocities. The RDA model provides a description of the degradation process of material properties from their peak state to their ultimate values using void volume fraction (VVF).Findings: Compared to numerous versions of acoustic emission tracking developed to analyze the behavior of total wave propagation in inhomogeneous media with density variations, the proposed model is comprehensive in interpretation and consistent with physical understanding. The comparison of the damage variables with the theoretical variables under the assumption of spherical voids in the spherical representative volume element (RVE) shows a satisfactory agreement of the results for all analyzed samples if the maximum porosities are used for comparison.Originality/value: The paper presents a new mathematical-physical method for examining the effect of porosity on the characteristics of hardened concrete. Porosity is essentially related to density variations. Therefore, it was logical to define the limit values of porosity using the strain energy density.

Purpose: The purpose of this paper is to contribute to the solution of the buckling and resonance stability problems in inelastic beams and wooden plane trusses, taking into account geometric and material defects.Design/methodology/approach: Two sources of non-linearity are analyzed, namely the geometrical non-linearity due to geometrical imperfections and material non-linearity due to material defects. The load-bearing capacity is obtained by the rheological-dynamical analogy (RDA). The RDA inelastic theory is used in conjunction with the damage mechanics to analyze the softening behavior with the scalar damage variable for stiffness reduction. Based on the assumed damages in the wooden truss, the corresponding external masses are calculated in order to obtain the corresponding fundamental frequencies, which are compared with the measured ones.Findings: RDA theory uses rheology and dynamics to determine the structures' response, those results in the post-buckling branch can then be compared by fracture mechanics. The RDA method uses the measured P and S wave velocities, as well as fundamental frequencies to find material properties at the limit point. The verification examples confirmed that the RDA theory is more suitable than other non-linear theories, as those proved to be overly complex in terms of their application to the real structures with geometrical and material defects.Originality/value: The paper presents a novel method of solving the buckling and resonance stability problems in inelastic beams and wooden plane trusses with initial defects. The method is efficient as it provides explanations highlighting that an inelastic beam made of ductile material can break in any stage from brittle to extremely ductile, depending on the value of initial imperfections. The characterization of the internal friction and structural damping via the damping ratio is original and effective.

In this paper a new rheological-dynamical continuum damage model for concrete under compression is used to research the behaviour of reinforced concrete beams subjected to bending. Within the framework of this approach the stress-strain curve of a concrete under compression in the pre-peak regime can be computed if the compressive strength, elastic modulus, concrete density and Poisson’s ratio are experimentally evaluated. The ultimate strain is determined in the post-peak regime only, using the secant stress-strain relation from damage mechanics. Experimental stress-strain data in the pre-peak regime for five concrete compositions were obtained during the examination presented herein. The numerical predictions regarding moment-curvature and ductility of a reinforced concrete beam are presented for five concrete compositions, demonstrating capabilities of a new analytical model.