ABSTRACT
This research aimed to study micro-cracking in cement mortar made of hollow artificial rock. Via the new discrete element modeling (DEM) technique, ambiguity associated with the excavation damaged zone (EDZ) definition was meant to be clarified. Additions relating to the stress state were meant to be annexed to the EDZ definition. The influence of aggregate shape and water binder (w/b) ratio on the crack behavior of cement-based materials was also investigated. Inclined shear test (IST) was conducted on scaled hollow samples made of differently shaped aggregates (angular, A, and rounded, R) at varying w/b ratios. Further DEM simulations of the tests were carried out and the output both from tests and simulations were compared. New definitions of the EDZ incorporating the stress state have been proposed. The crack mechanism under varying shear angles, w/b ratio, and differently shaped aggregates have been studied.
