Continuum damage mechanics for softening of brittle materials

Continuum damage theory is used to model the failure behaviour of brittle materials. In the constitutive equations a damage parameter is incorporated. A damage criterion is postulated such that large differences between tension and compression strength can be described. A damage growth law is quantified based on experimental data for concrete. For the elaboration of the mathematical formulation the finite element method is applied. Numerical results obtained for a plane strain example show the merits of the procedure.