The State-based Peridynamic Lattice Model and Reinforced Concrete Structures
Continuum mechanics is the leading tool used in computational solid mechanics. Continuum mechanics, however, assumes a materials body to be continuous, represented by analytical functions. This assumption is unrealistic for reinforced concrete structures, which become discontinuous as cracks form. Silling has proposed a nonlocal theory called peridynamics and Gerstle has specialized his idea to develop the state-based peridynamic lattice model (SPLM). The SPLM sufficiently models nonlinear deformation fields using an organized lattice, force states, and stretches. In this thesis, we use, develop, and modify the SPLM to model reinforced concrete structures. We use the SPLM to predict the strength of a very large reinforced concrete beam, develop the bond-slip model between steel and concrete in the SPLM, and we demonstrate how to apply loads sequentially to a beam.'
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