Characterization of concrete failure behavior: a comprehensive experimental database for the calibration and validation of concrete models

Concrete is undoubtedly the most important and widely used construction material of the late twentieth century. Yet, mathematical models that can accurately capture the particular material behavior under all loading conditions of significance are scarce at best. Although concepts and suitable models have existed for quite a while, their practical significance is low due to the limited attention to calibration and validation requirements and the scarcity of robust, transparent and comprehensive methods to perform such tasks. In addition, issues such as computational cost, difficulties associated with calculating the response of highly nonlinear systems, and, most importantly, lack of comprehensive experimental data sets have hampered progress in this area. This paper attempts to promote the use of advanced concrete models by (a) providing an overview of required tests and data preparation techniques; and (b) making a comprehensive set of concrete test data, cast from the same batch, available for model development, calibration, and validation. Data included in the database ‘http://www.baunat.boku.ac.at/cd-labor/downloads/versuchsdaten’ comprise flexure tests of four sizes, direct tension tests, confined and unconfined compression tests, Brazilian splitting tests of five sizes, and loading and unloading data. For all specimen sets the nominal stress–strain curves and crack patterns are provided.