Prof. Walter Gerstle
Department of Civil Construction and Environmental Engineeering
University of New Mexico

Peridynamics Applied to Concrete Structures

ABSTRACT: A peridynamic lattice model called the “State-based Peridynamic Lattice Model” (SPLM) is presented. With the SPLM, solids are simulated using a close-packed lattice of peridynamically interacting particles. Elasticity, plasticity and damage are coupled in this approach. A plasticity model that includes hardening, softening, and damage due to plasticity is demonstrated. Peridynamic boundary effects are considered. The SPLM method is employed to simulate three common concrete laboratory tests: uniaxial tension, uniaxial compression, and the Brazilian split cylinder test. Reinforced concrete structures are also simulated. The SPLM results are compared with laboratory test results. By solving the same benchmark problems using various lattice rotations and lattice spacings, the approach is demonstrated to be sufficiently objective to be a useful engineering tool to predict the essentially random behavior of concrete laboratory specimens. The SPLM is found to simulate concrete structures efficiently and sufficiently accurately.

BIOGRAPHY: Walter Gerstle is a professor of civil engineering at the University of New Mexico. His research emphasis is on structural engineering and structural mechanics. He is former chair of committee ACI446, “Fracture Mechanics of Concrete”. Gerstle has been active in researching the computational modeling of fracture concrete structures since 1980. Gerstle obtained his BS degree from the University of Colorado, and MS and PhD degrees from Cornell University. He is a licensed professional engineer. He has worked for many years as a structural consultant, and has spent summers and sabbaticals performing research at NASA, Sandia National Laboratories, Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory, and at the National Institute of Standards and Technology.