Energy-force model of destruction of reinforced concrete products by machine working bodies

BACKGROUND: The paper considers an approach to describe the working process of static action equipment for the destruction of reinforced concrete products. Despite the widespread use of machines of this type in the construction industry their design and technological parameters still remain theoretically unsubstantiated. It is noted that individually none of the existing approaches, to the assessment of structural and strength properties of concrete, is not sufficient to describe the working process of its destruction by the working bodies of machines.

AIMS: The paper solves the problem of substantiating the calculation model for the most comprehensive description of the working process of static action equipment for the destruction of reinforced concrete products.

MATERIALS AND METHODS: A hypothesis is proposed to describe the working process of concrete destruction on the basis of brittle fracture mechanics and phenomenological theories of strength. Verification of the proposed hypothesis was carried out by comparing the computational model, performed by the finite element method, with the results of the experiment on the fracture of concrete specimens of different strength, by stamps.

RESULTS: Experimental and theoretical dependences of the force required to fracture samples of different strength were obtained based on the results of the study. Comparison of the results of theoretical and experimental studies allows us to conclude that the proposed hypothesis allows us to find a solution to the problems of concrete destruction by machine working bodies.

CONCLUSIONS: The results obtained in the course of this work can be used for analytical solution of problems associated with the design of both static-action and dynamic-action equipment. The used approach can also be applied to other materials with brittle fracture behavior under the impact of the working bodies of machines.