Phase Field Modeling at Mesoscale of Recycled Aggregate Concrete
Publication: Journal of Materials in Civil Engineering
Volume 36, Issue 6
Abstract
We devised a mesoscopic model for recycled aggregates, enabling the deduction of mechanical behavior of finite element representative volume element (RVE) size from constituent properties like aggregate and mortar. This model can be integrated into a finite element solver as the material law, computing macroscopic properties based on individual constituents. It interprets material response under stress and strain by differentiating it into elastic and viscoplastic components. The elastic response uses a compressible neo-Hookean material model, while the viscoplastic response employs a nonassociated Perzyna-type model, accounting for rate-dependent deformation. We modified the Drucker–Prager yield function to predict fracture, and phase field equations describe fracture initiation and propagation. The model was applied to study fracture propagation in recycled aggregate concrete at a mesoscopic level, illustrating how fracture originates and spreads. After model calibration and validation, a parametric study examined the impact of residual mortar on an aggregate and new mortar matrix in the stress-strain relationship. Our investigation identified the significance of mechanical properties in the overall stress-strain relationship and failure patterns of recycled aggregate concrete (RAC), notably the new mortar matrix and old mortar adhesions. The model enables the prediction of fracture behavior in RAC with complex structural heterogeneity caused by recycled aggregates.
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Data Availability Statement
Some or all data, models, or code generated or used during the study are proprietary or confidential in nature and may only be provided with restrictions.
Acknowledgments
This work received the financial support of the INTERREG FEDER SeRaMCo project under Grants R-AGR-3212-11-C and R-AGR-3815-10-C. Simulations were carried out at the HPC facilities of the University of Luxembourg.
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Published In
Journal of Materials in Civil Engineering
Volume 36 • Issue 6 • June 2024
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This work is made available under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International license, https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/.
History
Received: Feb 22, 2023
Accepted: Nov 7, 2023
Published online: Mar 20, 2024
Published in print: Jun 1, 2024
Discussion open until: Aug 20, 2024
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