ABSTRACT
An Extended Finite Element Analysis (EFEA) of a three-point bending beam is carried out. The effectiveness of the EFEA and the determination of the parameters are verified by comparing the simulations with our experimental results. Then, simulating the propagation of a pre-sawed crack in a highway under a temperature drop, we find that the Crack Mouth Opening Displacement (CMOD) increase with the extent of the temperature drop. Due to the local cracking between the surface and base layer, the middle stage of the CMOD changes rapidly. Finally, the influences of the tensile strength and the Young’s modulus on the curve of CMOD with the drop of the temperature are discussed. It is found that the tensile strength has obvious effect on the medium stage of the CMOD, and it has little effect on the final stage. The Young’s modulus has obvious effect on the CMOD, but in the final stage, the trend almost keeps unchanged.
