A simple fracture model for dam concrete based on the Fuller and Thompson formula

This study presents a simple model for determining the fracture parameters of dam concrete, by introducing the Fuller and Thompson formula for estimating the average aggregate size d_av when only the maximum aggregate size d_max is known. The crack propagation mechanism of dam concrete is analyzed at the mesoscopic level. The calculation method of fictitious crack growth length and characteristic crack length of dam concrete is also described. A normally distributed fracture model for the variation of fracture toughness K_IC and tensile strength f_t with d_av is proposed for different specimen patterns (wedge splitting, compact tension, and three‐point bending) and different relative sizes. The fracture parameters derived by this model show consistent with the results obtained in the laboratory. The fracture failure curve of a dam concrete is established, and the peak state of a true structure of large size is also predicted satisfying linear elastic fracture.