Interfacial transition zones in concrete meso-scale models – Balancing physical realism and computational efficiency

Using meso-structural representations of concrete, with aggregates dispersed in mortar, has become a standard approach for damage and fracture analysis. However, there is no full agreement on appropriate modelling of different phases and on the inclusion of interfacial transition zones (ITZ). This work explores different mortar and ITZ formulations and by comparison with own experiments demonstrates that the optimal strategy balancing physical...