ABSTRACT
Most methods widely used for the ultimate limit-state analysis and design of concrete structures place emphasis on modelling post-peak material characteristics such as, for example, strain softening, tension stiffening, shear-retention ability and so on, coupled with stressand/or strain-rate sensitivity when blast or impulsive types of loading are considered. Such modelling is based on a variety of theories, such as, for example, endochronic (Bazant and Bhat 1976), plasticity (Chen and Chen 1975; Fardis et al. 1983; Yang et al. 1985), plastic fracturing (Bazant and Kim 1979), viscoplasticity (Cela 1998), damage mechanics (Mazars 1986; Mazars and Pijaudier-Cabot 1989; Suaris et al. 1990) and so on, all invariably developed within the context of continuum mechanics (Truesdell 1991).
