James L. O'Daniel

Calibration and Validation of the Lattice Discrete Particle Model for Ultra High-Performance Fiber-Reinforced Concrete

This paper investigates the calibration and validation of a new ultra high performance concrete (UHPC) named Cortuf using LDPM-F, the Lattice Discrete Particle Model for fiber reinforced concrete. The LDPM-F is a discrete meso-scale model that can accurately describe the macroscopic behavior of concrete in elastic, fracturing, softening, and hardening regimes. LDPM-F has been verified extensively through the analysis of a variety of experimental tests and can reproduce with great accuracy the response of concrete under uniaxial and multiaxial stress states in compression and tension, and under both quasi-static and dynamic loading conditions. The model is calibrated herein by simulating: (1) unconfined and confined compression tests as well as 3-point bending tests on plain Cortuf and (2) single fiber pull-out tests. Afterward, quasi-static compression and tensile validation and prediction experiments were performed. The numerical results are compared to the experimental results both graphically and through failure modes.

Vulnerability of Structures to Weapons Effects

The Geotechnical and Structures Laboratory (GSL) has a number of funded research efforts to support Department of Defense (DoD) requirements for understanding the response of structures to explosives/weapons. These efforts are all heavily dependent on high performance computing (HPC) simulations to meet research needs. The research efforts to be supported include Force Protection, Military Operations in Urban Terrain, and Homeland Defense. HPC simulations are used to enhance ongoing experimental programs. The simulations are used to assist in designing experiments, to aid in understanding the experiments, to extend the knowledge beyond the limitations of the experiments, and to develop numerical databases. High priority HPC hours available through the High Performance Computing Modernization Program (HPCMP) Challenge Project were used to perform these simulations. Simulation results are compared with experimental results when available.