Notation and abbreviationsThe Abaqus/ Explicit is used in this article
2D	Two-dimensional
3D	Three-dimensional
FE	Finite element
DEM	Discrete element method
DIC	Digital image correlation
W/C	Water-to-cement ratio
DIP	Digital image processing
RealNC01/NC02	Realistic concrete specimen sections
NC01/NC02	Finite element models
ITZ	Interface transition zone
CIE	Interface element inside cement paste
AIE	Interface element inside aggregate
CPS3	3-node linear plane stress triangle
COH2D4	4-node two-dimensional cohesive element
RF	Ratio of fracture energy
RF(A)	Fracture energy ratio of AIEs
RF(C)	Fracture energy ratio of CIEs
RF(I)	Fracture energy ratio of ITZs
$G_s^C$	Shear mode fracture energy (mode II fracture energy)
$G_n^C$	Normal mode fracture energy (mode I fracture energy)
X	X-direction displacement contour
Y	Y-direction displacement contour
ε	Strain
σ	Stress tensor