Numerical Simulation of the Chloride Penetration in Cracked and Healed UHPC via a Discrete Multiphysics Model
Publication: Journal of Engineering Mechanics
Volume 149, Issue 12
Abstract
Concrete cracks in service conditions, and this accelerates the degradation of both cementitious matrix and steel reinforcement. The inherent capacity of cementitious materials of autonomously sealing the cracks might result in a higher durability in aggressive environments. Recently, at Politecnico di Milano, the effect of both autogenous and crystalline admixture-stimulated healing on chloride penetration has been experimentally investigated for an ultra high performance concrete (UHPC). In this research work, the whole laboratory campaign has been numerically simulated through a multiphysics-lattice discrete particle model (M-LDPM)-based numerical model, in order to validate its capability of simulating the effect of autogenous and stimulated healing on the chloride penetration. The healing process is simulated through an improved version of the hygro-thermo-chemical (HTC) model, in which the effect of cracks (opening and closure) on permeability is implemented. Aiming to capture the results obtained through the afore-mentioned experimental campaign, the healing model is coupled and harmonized with an existing M-LDPM-based chloride diffusion model for saturated and nonsaturated concrete. The numerical results prove the model capability of capturing both the reduction of chloride penetration due to the cracks sealing, and the different degree of closure reachable with and without employing crystalline admixtures as healing agents, and thus pave the way toward incorporation of the benefits of self-healing cement based materials in predictive modeling and design tools. The research activity from which this work stems was framed into the H2020 project ReSHEALience.
Practical Applications
The prediction of how chloride penetration in concrete is affected by mix composition and damage might enable a more aware management of both design and maintenance processes. This article presents an innovative numerical model to simulate the chloride ingress into cracked fiber reinforced concrete. Furthermore, the model allows to account for the inherent capability that cementitious materials have to autonomously repair the cracks, mainly due to the delayed hydration of unreacted cement particles. The approach relies on a discrete modeling of concrete matrix and steel fibers. Then, it is also able to simulate accurately the response of innovative cement-based materials, such as ultra high performance concrete (UHPC). The numerical model is validated against experimental evidence, recently collected at Politecnico di Milano. The comparison between simulations and experimental results shows that the model does have the capability of predicting the chloride ingress in presence of cracks and crack self-healing. For the latter, also the effect of crystalline admixtures—which are expected to act as healing promoters—is simulated.
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Data Availability Statement
The original code used during the study was provided by a third party. Direct requests for it may be made to the provider as indicated in the Acknowledgments.
The improved version of the code that supports the findings of this study is available from the corresponding author upon reasonable request.
Acknowledgments
The work described in this paper has been performed in the framework of the project ReSHEALience—Rethinking coastal defense and green-energy Service infrastructures through enHancEd-durAbiLity high-performance cement-based materials, whose funding the authors gratefully acknowledge. This project has received funding from the European Union Horizon 2020 research and innovation program under Grant Agreement No. 760824. The information and views set out in this publication do not necessarily reflect the official opinion of the European Commission. Neither the European Union institutions and bodies nor any person acting on their behalf, may be held responsible for the use which may be made of the information contained therein. The authors wish to thank Hamza Ahmed, who collaborated in this research in partial fulfilment of his MS degree requirements at Politecnico di Milano. The numerical analyses have been performed by means of MARS, an explicit dynamic code distributed by ES3 Inc. (Engineering and Software System Solutions), which is gratefully acknowledged.
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Journal of Engineering Mechanics
Volume 149 • Issue 12 • December 2023
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© 2023 American Society of Civil Engineers.
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Received: Jan 24, 2023
Accepted: Jul 21, 2023
Published online: Sep 19, 2023
Published in print: Dec 1, 2023
Discussion open until: Feb 19, 2024
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