ABSTRACT
This chapter describes the determination of the fracture parameters in both the lattice model and the Fictitious Crack Model. The procedure for estimating the material related parameters in the Fictitious Crack Model is described. The parameters in the lattice model affecting the stiffness are all geometrical parameters and can be found in a simple and straightforward mapping procedure that is described below as well. Although the term "validation" is used in the title of this chapter, this does not really cover the contents. The validation includes a great number of model analyses that are presented in and. Using the original Fictitious Crack Model, the softening diagram must be estimated through an inverse analysis because of the fundamental problems of fracture models mentioned above. Discrepancies between experimental and numerical outcomes can, in most cases, be explained from issues discussed in this chapter, but sometimes additional reasons can - and will - be given.
