Phase field simulation of early-age fracture in cement-based materials

In this paper, a new computational approach, which is based on a multi-physics coupling of the chemo-thermo-mechanical process, is developed for modeling failure mechanism in cement-based materials at early-age hydration. A new constitutive law describing mechanical behavior of young concrete is thu...

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Bibliographic Details
Published inInternational journal of solids and structures Vol. 191-192; pp. 157 - 172
Main Authors Nguyen, Thanh-Tung, Waldmann, Danièle, Bui, Tinh Quoc
Format Journal Article
LanguageEnglish
Published New York Elsevier Ltd 15.05.2020
Elsevier BV
Subjects
Boundary conditions
Cement constituents
Cement hydration
Complex crack networks
Computer simulation
Crack initiation
Crack propagation
Creep
Creep (materials)
Early-age concrete
Failure mechanisms
Heterogeneity
Hydration
Mechanical properties
Multi-physics
Phase field model
Shrinkage
Thermal expansion
Thermal variations
Thermomechanical treatment
Multi-physics
Phase field model
Complex crack networks
Early-age concrete
Creep
Shrinkage
Thermal variations
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Summary:In this paper, a new computational approach, which is based on a multi-physics coupling of the chemo-thermo-mechanical process, is developed for modeling failure mechanism in cement-based materials at early-age hydration. A new constitutive law describing mechanical behavior of young concrete is thus derived, taking into account the effects of several factors including thermal expansion, shrinkage, damage, and both basic and transient thermal creeps. A strongly coupled model describing the interaction between fracture and multi-physics problems of cement hydration is obtained. The present phase field model in terms of smeared crack approach is highly suitable for simulating crack, especially when considering the unilateral contact conditions at crack surfaces. The capability of the proposed model in modeling complex crack initiation and propagation under arbitrary boundary conditions is highlighted. Fracture phenomena at both macroscopic and mesoscopic scales are considered and analyzed. The effects of creep and microstructural heterogeneity in different length scale are investigated, showing the great potential of the developed approach.
ISSN:0020-7683
1879-2146
DOI:10.1016/j.ijsolstr.2019.12.003