Mechanical Properties of the Interface between Reactive Powder Concrete and Aggregates at Different Temperatures
Publication: Journal of Engineering Mechanics
Volume 150, Issue 12
Abstract
To analyze the effect of temperature on the failure of the interface between reactive powder concrete (RPC) and aggregate, a constitutive model based on the elastoplastic theory to describe both tension and shear failure modes at high temperatures is developed. The influence of damage is incorporated in the developed model. A unified yield function is proposed based on the Mohr-Coulomb criterion to describe plastic behavior at the interface. The evolution of damage is distinguished by different energy dissipation potential functions for tension and shear. Microstructure analysis of the failure surface reveals that the interface degraded with increasing of temperature due to the decomposition of concrete hydrates and the formation of cracks. Comparisons between predictions and experimental data validate accuracy of the proposed model, demonstrating that it can effectively describe the mechanical behavior of cement-aggregate interface at different temperatures.
Practical Applications
In the current study, the authors investigated the mechanical properties of the interface between reactive powder concrete (RPC) and stone materials under high-temperature conditions through experimental and theoretical analysis. The tension and shear constitutive models of the interface at different temperatures are developed based on elastoplastic mechanics model, and the evolution of damage is considered. The developed constitutive models for the tensile and shear behavior of the interface were implemented in user defined subroutine of finite element software ABAQUS, and the predictions exhibited good agreement with experimental results. The developed model can assist engineers in studying the failure of the interface between the matrix and aggregates after a fire incident and analyzing the internal damage of concrete in construction projects. It provides significant assistance in the assessment of building structural fire performance and the analysis of concrete durability.
Get full access to this article
View all available purchase options and get full access to this article.
Data Availability Statement
All data, models, or codes that support the findings of this study are available from the corresponding author upon reasonable request.
Acknowledgments
The authors would like to acknowledge the financial support by the Shaanxi science and technology innovation team (Program No. 2022TD-05).
References
Abid, M., X. Hou, W. Zheng, and R. R. Hussain. 2019. “Effect of fibers on high-temperature mechanical behavior and microstructure of reactive powder concrete.” Materials 12 (2): 329. https://doi.org/10.3390/ma12020329.
Appa Rao, G. A., and B. K. Raghu Prasad. 2011. “Influence of interface properties on fracture behaviour of concrete.” Sadhana 36 (Jun): 193–208. https://doi.org/10.1007/s12046-011-0012-x.
Ascione, F., A. Napoli, and R. Realfonzo. 2021. “Interface bond between FRP systems and substrate: Analytical modeling.” Compos. Struct. 257 (Feb): 112942. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.compstruct.2020.112942.
Aslani, F., and B. Samali. 2014. “Constitutive relationships for steel fibre reinforced concrete at elevated temperatures.” Fire Technol. 50 (5): 1249–1268. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10694-012-0322-5.
Augusthus Nelson, L., M. Al-Allaf, and L. Weekes. 2020. “Analytical modelling of bond-slip failure between epoxy bonded FRP and concrete substrate.” Compos. Struct. 251 (Nov): 112596. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.compstruct.2020.112596.
Berger, R. L., D. S. Cahn, and J. D. McGregor. 1970. “Calcium hydroxide as a binder in Portland cement paste.” J. Am. Ceram. Soc. 53 (1): 57–58. https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1151-2916.1970.tb12004.x.
Biscaia, H. C., I. S. Borba, C. Silva, and C. Chastre. 2016. “A nonlinear analytical model to predict the full-range debonding process of FRP-to-parent material interfaces free of any mechanical anchorage devices.” Compos. Struct. 138 (Mar): 52–63. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.compstruct.2015.11.035.
Branch, J. L., R. Epps, and D. S. Kosson. 2018. “The impact of carbonation on bulk and ITZ porosity in microconcrete materials with fly ash replacement.” Cem. Concr. Res. 103 (Jan): 170–178. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.cemconres.2017.10.012.
Carol, I., C. M. López, and O. Roa. 2001. “Micromechanical analysis of quasi-brittle materials using fracture-based interface elements.” Int. J. Numer. Methods Eng. 52 (1–2): 193–215. https://doi.org/10.1002/nme.277.
Fang, H., B. Lin, W. Liang, and Y. Yao. 2023. “Constitutive model of interfacial bond-slip between steel fibers and concrete matrix after exposing to high temperature.” J. Build. Eng. 77 (Oct): 107569. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jobe.2023.107569.
Feng, H., L. Li, P. Zhang, D. Gao, J. Zhao, L. Feng, and M. N. Sheikh. 2020. “Microscopic characteristics of interface transition zone between magnesium phosphate cement and steel fiber.” Constr. Build. Mater. 253 (Aug): 119179. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.conbuildmat.2020.119179.
Gao, Y., G. De Schutter, G. Ye, Z. Tan, and K. Wu. 2014. “The ITZ microstructure, thickness and porosity in blended cementitious composite: Effects of curing age, water to binder ratio and aggregate content.” Composites, Part B 60 (Apr): 1–13. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.compositesb.2013.12.021.
Gernay, T., A. Millard, and J.-M. Franssen. 2013. “A multiaxial constitutive model for concrete in the fire situation: Theoretical formulation.” Int. J. Solids Struct. 50 (22–23): 3659–3673. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ijsolstr.2013.07.013.
Huang, L., Y. Chi, L. Xu, and F. Deng. 2019. “A thermodynamics-based damage-plasticity model for bond stress-slip relationship of steel reinforcement embedded in fiber reinforced concrete.” Eng. Struct. 180 (Feb): 762–778. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.engstruct.2018.11.070.
Jebli, M., F. Jamin, E. Malachanne, E. Garcia-Diaz, and M. S. El Youssoufi. 2018. “Experimental characterization of mechanical properties of the cement-aggregate interface in concrete.” Constr. Build. Mater. 161 (Feb): 16–25. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.conbuildmat.2017.11.100.
Jebli, M., F. Jamin, C. Pelissou, E. Lhopital, and M. S. E. Youssoufi. 2021. “Characterization of the expansion due to the delayed ettringite formation at the cement paste-aggregate interface.” Constr. Build. Mater. 289 (Jun): 122979. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.conbuildmat.2021.122979.
Ju, J. W. 1989. “On energy-based coupled elastoplastic damage theories: Constitutive modeling and computational aspects.” Int. J. Solids Struct. 25 (7): 803–833. https://doi.org/10.1016/0020-7683(89)90015-2.
Lee, Y.-H., Y. T. Joo, T. Lee, and D.-H. Ha. 2011. “Mechanical properties of constitutive parameters in steel–concrete interface.” Eng. Struct. 33 (4): 1277–1290. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.engstruct.2011.01.005.
Li, Y., P. Pimienta, N. Pinoteau, and K. H. Tan. 2019a. “Effect of aggregate size and inclusion of polypropylene and steel fibers on explosive spalling and pore pressure in ultra-high-performance concrete (UHPC) at elevated temperature.” Cem. Concr. Compos. 99 (May): 62–71. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.cemconcomp.2019.02.016.
Li, Y., K. H. Tan, and E.-H. Yang. 2018. “Influence of aggregate size and inclusion of polypropylene and steel fibers on the hot permeability of ultra-high performance concrete (UHPC) at elevated temperature.” Constr. Build. Mater. 169 (Apr): 629–637. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.conbuildmat.2018.01.105.
Li, Y., E.-H. Yang, and K. H. Tan. 2019b. “Effects of heating followed by water quenching on strength and microstructure of ultra-high performance concrete.” Constr. Build. Mater. 207 (May): 403–411. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.conbuildmat.2019.02.123.
Lin, B., H. Fang, and Y. Yao. 2023. “Interfacial bonding mechanism between fire exposed and functionalized carbon nanotube mortar.” Constr. Build. Mater. 407 (Dec): 133521. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.conbuildmat.2023.133521.
Lin, J., H. Chen, R. Zhang, and L. Liu. 2019. “Characterization of the wall effect of concrete via random packing of polydispersed superball-shaped aggregates.” Mater. Charact. 154 (Aug): 335–343. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.matchar.2019.06.024.
Liu, R., H. Xiao, J. Liu, S. Guo, and Y. Pei. 2019. “Improving the microstructure of ITZ and reducing the permeability of concrete with various water/cement ratios using nano-silica.” J. Mater. Sci. 54 (1): 444–456. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10853-018-2872-5.
Lotfi, H. R., and P. B. Shing. 1994. “Interface model applied to fracture of masonry structures.” J. Struct. Eng. 120 (1): 63–80. https://doi.org/10.1061/(ASCE)0733-9445(1994)120:1(63).
Luo, Z., W. Li, K. Wang, S. P. Shah, and D. Sheng. 2022. “Nano/micromechanical characterisation and image analysis on the properties and heterogeneity of ITZs in geopolymer concrete.” Cem. Concr. Res. 152 (Feb): 106677. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.cemconres.2021.106677.
Ma, H., and Z. Li. 2014. “Multi-aggregate approach for modeling interfacial transition zone in concrete.” ACI Mater. J. 111 (2): 189–200. https://doi.org/10.14359/51686501.
Mazars, J. M., and G. Pijaudier-Cabot. 1989. “Continuum damage theory—Application to concrete.” J. Eng. Mech. 115 (2): 345–365. https://doi.org/10.1061/(ASCE)0733-9399(1989)115:2(345).
Nie, Y., A. Sheikh, M. Griffith, and P. Visintin. 2022a. “A damage-plasticity based interface model for simulating in-plane/out-of-plane response of masonry structural panels.” Comput. Struct. 260 (Feb): 106721. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.compstruc.2021.106721.
Nie, Y., A. Sheikh, P. Visintin, and M. Griffith. 2022b. “An interfacial damage-plastic model for the simulation of masonry structures under monotonic and cyclic loadings.” Eng. Fract. Mech. 271 (Aug): 108645. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.engfracmech.2022.108645.
Nie, Y., T.-Y. Xie, G.-M. Chen, X.-Y. Zhao, and J.-B. Lv. 2022c. “A 2D generic multi-surface cohesive zone model for simulating FRP-to-concrete mixed-mode debonding failure.” Compos. Struct. 296 (Sep): 115890. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.compstruct.2022.115890.
Rao, G. A., and B. K. Raghu Prasad. 2004. “Influence of type of aggregate and surface roughness on the interface fracture properties.” Mater. Struct. 37 (Jun): 328–334. https://doi.org/10.1617/13658.
Scrivener, K. L., A. K. Crumbie, and P. Laugesen. 2004. “The interfacial transition zone (ITZ) between cement paste and aggregate in concrete.” Interface Sci. 12 (Oct): 411–421. https://doi.org/10.1023/B:INTS.0000042339.92990.4c.
Serpieri, R., and G. Alfano. 2011. “Bond-slip analysis via a thermodynamically consistent interface model combining interlocking, damage and friction.” Int. J. Numer. Methods Eng. 85 (2): 164–186. https://doi.org/10.1002/nme.2961.
Tian, J., X. Wu, Y. Zheng, S. Hu, Y. Du, W. Wang, C. Sun, and L. Zhang. 2019. “Investigation of interface shear properties and mechanical model between ECC and concrete.” Constr. Build. Mater. 223 (Oct): 12–27. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.conbuildmat.2019.06.188.
Tian, Y., Z. Tian, N. Jin, X. Jin, and W. Yu. 2018. “A multiphase numerical simulation of chloride ions diffusion in concrete using electron microprobe analysis for characterizing properties of ITZ.” Constr. Build. Mater. 178 (Jul): 432–444. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.conbuildmat.2018.05.047.
Tu, Y., H. Yu, H. Ma, W. Han, and Y. Diao. 2022. “Experimental study of the relationship between bond strength of aggregates interface and microhardness of ITZ in concrete.” Constr. Build. Mater. 352 (Oct): 128990. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.conbuildmat.2022.128990.
Wang, L., L. Wang, Y. Yang, X. Zhu, D. Zhang, and X. Gao. 2022. “Discrete element modeling of rock-concrete bi-material discs under dynamic tensile loading.” Constr. Build. Mater. 327 (Apr): 126962. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.conbuildmat.2022.126962.
Wang, M., Y. Xie, G. Long, C. Ma, and X. Zeng. 2019. “Microhardness characteristics of high-strength cement paste and interfacial transition zone at different curing regimes.” Constr. Build. Mater. 221 (Oct): 151–162. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.conbuildmat.2019.06.084.
Wu, J. Y., J. Li, and R. Faria. 2006. “An energy release rate-based plastic-damage model for concrete.” Int. J. Solids Struct. 43 (3–4): 583–612. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ijsolstr.2005.05.038.
Wu, K., J. Long, L. Xu, and G. De Schutter. 2019. “A study on the chloride diffusion behavior of blended cement concrete in relation to aggregate and ITZ.” Constr. Build. Mater. 223 (Oct): 1063–1073. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.conbuildmat.2019.07.068.
Wu, Y., X. Zheng, W. Huang, X. Zheng, and T. Lin. 2023. “Experimental and numerical analysis of shear bonding behavior of interface between stone and ultra-high performance concrete made with POM fiber.” Eng. Struct. 286 (Jul): 116142. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.engstruct.2023.116142.
Xia, P. X., G. P. Zou, and L. Q. Tang. 2011. “Numerical simulation on the compound crack propagation process in concrete.” Adv. Mater. Res. 250–253 (Jul): 1139–1142. https://doi.org/10.4028/www.scientific.net/AMR.250-253.1139.
Xuan, D., Z. Shui, and S. Wu. 2009. “Influence of silica fume on the interfacial bond between aggregate and matrix in near-surface layer of concrete.” Constr. Build. Mater. 23 (7): 2631–2635. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.conbuildmat.2009.01.006.
Yang, C. 1998. “Effect of the transition zone on the elastic moduli of mortar.” Cem. Concr. Res. 28 (5): 727–736. https://doi.org/10.1016/S0008-8846(98)00035-0.
Yao, Y., H. Fang, and H. Guo. 2021. “Unified damage constitutive model for fiber-reinforced concrete at high temperature.” J. Eng. Mech. 148 (1): 04021132. https://doi.org/10.1061/(ASCE)EM.1943-7889.0002057.
Yao, Y., and K. Wang. 2017. “Elastic-plastic damage model to predict pore-pressure effect on concrete behavior at elevated temperatures.” J. Eng. Mech. 143 (10): 04017122. https://doi.org/10.1061/(ASCE)EM.1943-7889.0001349.
Yao, Y., K. Wang, and X. Hu. 2017. “Thermodynamic-based elastoplasticity multiaxial constitutive model for concrete at elevated temperatures.” J. Eng. Mech. 143 (7): 04017039. https://doi.org/10.1061/(ASCE)EM.1943-7889.0001250.
Yim, H. J., J. H. Kim, and S. P. Shah. 2013. “Cement particle flocculation and breakage monitoring under Couette flow.” Cem. Concr. Res. 53 (Nov): 36–43. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.cemconres.2013.05.018.
Zheng, W., B. Luo, and Y. Wang. 2014. “Microstructure and mechanical properties of RPC containing PP fibres at elevated temperatures.” Mag. Concr. Res. 66 (8): 397–408. https://doi.org/10.1680/macr.13.00232.
Ziegler, H., and C. Wehrli. 1987. “The derivation of constitutive relations from the free energy and the dissipation function.” Adv. Appl. Mech. 25 (Jan): 183–238. https://doi.org/10.1016/S0065-2156(08)70278-3.
Information & Authors
Information
Published In
Journal of Engineering Mechanics
Volume 150 • Issue 12 • December 2024
Copyright
© 2024 American Society of Civil Engineers.
History
Received: Aug 9, 2023
Accepted: Jul 19, 2024
Published online: Sep 23, 2024
Published in print: Dec 1, 2024
Discussion open until: Feb 23, 2025
Authors
Metrics & Citations
Metrics
Citations
Download citation
If you have the appropriate software installed, you can download article citation data to the citation manager of your choice. Simply select your manager software from the list below and click Download.