Modeling and Simulation of the Hysteretic Behavior of Concrete under Cyclic Tension–Compression Using the Smeared Crack Approach

Concrete structures under wind and earthquake loads will experience tensile and compressive stress reversals. It is very important to accurately reproduce the hysteretic behavior and energy dissipation of concrete materials under cyclic tension–compression for the safety evaluation of concrete structures. A hysteretic model for concrete under cyclic tension–compression is proposed in the framework of smeared crack theory. Based on the crack surface opening–closing mechanism, the relationship between crack surface stress and cracking strain is constructed in a local coordinate system. Linear loading–unloading paths are used and the partial unloading–reloading condition is considered. The hysteretic curves in the model are controlled by two parameters: the initial closing stress and the complete closing stress, which can be determined by the test results. Comparison with several experimental results shows that the model is capable of simulating the cracking process and hysteretic behavior of concrete. In addition, the model is proven to be able to reproduce the damage evolution, energy dissipation, and stiffness recovery caused by crack closure during the cyclic tension–compression. The proposed model can be applied to the nonlinear analysis of real concrete structures under complex cyclic loads.