Fracture Mechanics and Structural Cracking

Cracking is a common issue in concrete and steel structural elements, which can lead to failure if not addressed properly. To prevent cracking and ensure the safety and durability of concrete and steel structures, fracture mechanics analysis by finite elements is essential. Fracture mechanics analysis can account for complex factors such as material nonlinearity, geometric nonlinearity, and crack propagation, providing a more accurate and realistic representation of the behavior of concrete and steel elements under loading.