Meso-mechanical modeling of thermal spalling in concrete using fracture-based zero-thickness interface elements

Title: Meso-mechanical modeling of thermal spalling in concrete using fracture-based zero-thickness interface elements
Author(s): M. Rodríguez, C.M. López, I. Carol and K.J. Willam
Paper category : conference
Book title: 2nd International RILEM Workshop on Concrete Spalling due to Fire Exposure
Editor(s): E.A.B. Koenders and F. Dehn
ISBN: 978-2-35158-118-6
e-ISBN: 978-2-35158-119-3
Publisher: RILEM Publications SARL
Publication year: 2011
Pages: 237 - 244
Total Pages: 8
Nb references: 7
Language: English

Abstract: This paper present numerical simulation to analyze the thermal mismatch effects in mortar and concrete subjected to high temperatures. The material is considered as a two-phase composite, with different thermal expansion laws for matrix and particles. The numerical simulation is based on a meso-mechanical model developed in the group of Mechanics of Materials UPC, which represents the largest aggregate particles explicitly, and represent cracks in a discrete manner by inserting zero-thickness interface elements along the main potential crack trajectories a priori of the analysis. First a uniform temperature distribution is considered in the simulations and the results are compared with the experimental observations reported in the literature. The calculations are later extended to a non-uniform temperature distribution analysis and the prediction of thermal spalling.

Online publication: 2012-01-17
Publication type : full_text
Public price (Euros): 0.00