9.4 Modified Maekawa Concrete Model

The Maekawa concrete model combines a multi-axial damage plasticity model for the effect of crushing in the compressive regime with a crack model based on total strain for the tensile regime.

History and benefits.

The damage plasticity model has been developed by the research group of professor Maekawa of Tokyo University. The crack model is directly related to the Total Strain crack models in DIANA [§6.2]. The model also describes hysteresis in tensile and compressive unloading-reloading loops according to the experiences of professor Maekawa. The implementation in DIANA of these effects into what we call the `Modified Maekawa' concrete model, is the result of the efforts of a working group, consisting of a number of Japanese universities and companies in the period 2001-2002.

The attractive points of the Modified Maekawa concrete model are that it is defined by engineering parameters such as the tensile and compressive strength and the fracture energy, and that it covers all loading situations. Other models, focused on a specific loading situation, might provide better results in this specific situation. However, these models generally perform not so well under conditions for which they are not intended.

Application.

The Modified Maekawa concrete model can be applied for solid, shell, plane stress, plane strain, axisymmetric, beam, and truss elements. This model can be used either via direct input [§9.4.1], or via a user-supplied subroutine [§9.4.2]. See also Chapter 22 for background theory.