Deterministic and stochastic analysis of size effects and damage evolutionin quasi-brittle materials

This study presents some recent results on damage evolution in quasi-brittl e materials including stochastic imperfections. The material strength is de scribed as a random field and coupled to the response. The most probable co nfigurations of imperfections leading to failure are sought by means of an optimisation algorithm. This allows for evaluation of the significance of d ifferent modes and of the global probability of failure. The symmetry/asymm etry of the evolution of damage in double-edge-notched specimens under tens ile loading is studied for different geometrical and mechanical conditions. Deterministic and stochastic size effects are analysed for the particular problem of the pull-out of steel anchors.