Numerical study on fracture behavior and crack growth path of the self-compacting concrete under mixed-mode loading condition

Self-Compacting Concrete (SCC) is widely used in modern construction due to its superior flowability, but its fracture behavior under complex loading conditions remains insufficiently understood, especially in the presence of pre-existing cracks. This study investigates the fracture performance of SCC under mixed-mode I-II loading using a numerical approach based on the Extended Finite Element Method (XFEM). Semicircular bending specimens with various initial crack angles were modeled, and results were validated against experimental data. The numerical predictions showed a maximum error of 8% in fracture loads compared to experimental values, and crack growth paths were accurately captured. The results indicate that increased crack angles lead to higher fracture resistance due to the contribution of shear-induced plasticity. These findings demonstrate that XFEM is a reliable tool for predicting fracture in SCC, offering practical insights for the design and assessment of cracked concrete structures.