ABSTRACT
Analytical models of cement-based composite materials were initially based on the theory of elasticity with additional simplifying assumptions. The following notions were applied:
Hooke’s law is not analytically related to the ultimate values of stress • and strain which mean the rupture of a continuous body; mean stress and mean strain, in which homogeneity of the material was • assumed; simplifi ed formulae for stress calculations, based on so-called technical • theory of strength of materials; principles of superposition applied to composite materials.•
That system is neither coherent nor experimentally verifi ed, but it is simple enough for large applications and safe enough when combined with an imposed system of safety coefficients. These coefficients help to keep structures and elements made of concrete-like composites far away from ultimate states. Therefore, the inconsistencies of the system are only taken under consideration when they become unacceptable for various reasons; for example, stress concentrations, structure of ITZ, etc.
