Studies on the Application of Variable Amplitude Loading to Concrete through Energy Equivalence

Abstract

Abstract. Damage quantification of concrete subjected to variable amplitude load is not a simple task. In this study, a procedure is proposed to convert variable amplitude load acting on concrete structures to an equivalent constant amplitude load. The procedure described in this work is developed using an existing fatigue crack propagation model and an energy dissipation model which are both based on the energy approach. Further, the damage incurred by concrete is quantified using damage index, which is obtained by normalizing the cumulative energy dissipated with the total cumulative energy dissipated at the critical crack length of the concrete specimen.