Multi-scale analysis framework for predicting tensile strength of cement paste by combining experiments and simulations

• Published in: Cement & concrete composites Vol. 139; p. 105006
• Main Authors: Han, Tong-Seok, Eum, Donghwi, Kim, Se-Yun, Kim, Ji-Su, Lim, Jae-Hong, Park, Kyoungsoo, Stephan, Dietmar
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Elsevier Ltd 01.05.2023
• Subjects: Cement paste; Mechanical properties; Microstructure; Nanoindentation; Phase-field fracture model; X-ray micro-CT; Mechanical properties; Phase-field fracture model; X-ray micro-CT; Microstructure; Cement paste; Nanoindentation
• ISSN: 0958-9465; 1873-393X
• DOI: 10.1016/j.cemconcomp.2023.105006

The experimental method that accurately assesses the responses of cementitious materials with complex microstructures requires significant time and effort. To address this issue, a multi-scale analysis approach that synergistically combines experiments and simulations can be adopted. In this study, a framework was designed to evaluate the macroscale (upper-scale) tensile strength of cement paste using microscale (lower-scale) characteristics and properties. The upper- and lower-scale microstructures of the cement paste are obtained through this approach using high-resolution synchrotron X-ray micro-CT. Solid-phase properties at the lower-scale are determined using a nanoindentation experiment and lower-scale micro-CT characteristics. The upper-scale solid phase properties are correlated by comparing the distributions of the linear attenuation coefficients or the grayscale values of the micro-CT images from the two scales. To evaluate the proposed method, splitting tensile test simulations of the cement pastes were conducted with upper-scale solid-phase input material parameters. The simulated results were comparable to the experimental ones. It was concluded that the proposed multi-scale approach combining experiments and simulations can reduce the time and effort required to evaluate the mechanical responses of cement paste. It thus contributes to advancing material innovations. •A multi-scale splitting tensile test simulation approach is proposed.•Cement paste microstructures are characterized by two-scale micro-CT images.•Microscale mechanical properties are determined from nanoindentation tests.•Macroscale input modeling parameters are obtained by a scale-linking strategy.