U.S.-Venezuela Cooperative Research: Cracking in Reinforced Concrete Structures: Fracture Mechanics and Lumped Damage Mechanics Approaches Compared

Rutgers University New Brunswick, New Brunswick NJ

Investigators

Abstract

0104414 Denda This award supports a three-year collaborative research project between Professor Mitsunori Denda of Rutgers University and Professor Julio Florez-Lopez of the University on the Andes in Venezuela. The project will focus on the assessment of damage to reinforced concrete structures subject to strong loading. The research team will carry out analytical, numerical and experimental studies to compare the fracture mechanics and lumped damage mechanics approaches of assessing cracking in reinforced concrete structures. The vulnerability of concrete structures to strong loading, such as that caused by earthquakes, results in significant loss of life and property damage. Potential new approaches to assessing the cracking behavior of reinforced concrete could have far-reaching implications for building safer structures and mitigating against damages from earthquakes. This collaboration brings together the efforts of international laboratories with complementary expertise and research facilities. The project will directly involve U.S. undergraduate and graduate students in the international collaboration.