Mesoscale modeling and simulation on the chemo-mechanical behavior of concrete in sulfate-rich environments

• Published in: Engineering fracture mechanics 2024-04, Vol.300, p.109982, Article 109982
• Main Authors: Zuo, Xiao-Bao, Li, Xiang-Nan, Zheng, Zhi-Kang, Zou, Yu-Xiao, Zhang, Yu-Ye
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: ABAQUS; Chemo-mechanical damage; Concrete; External sulfate attack; Mesoscale model
• ISSN: 0013-7944; 1873-7315
• DOI: 10.1016/j.engfracmech.2024.109982

•A three-dimensionally mesoscale concrete was geometrically reconstructed to reflect its heterogeneity.•A mesoscale model for sulfate-induced evolution of chemo-mechanical behavior of concrete was developed.•Chemo-mechanical response of concrete from sulfate diffusion to damage failure was numerically simulated. This paper aims at numerical description on the time-varying chemo-mechanical behavior of concrete served in sulfate-rich environments. For this purpose, a three-dimensionally (3-D) mesoscale model was developed to investigate the chemo-mechanical damage evolution of concrete under external sulfate attack (ESA). Firstly, a geometrical reconstruction of 3-D concrete at meso scale was carried out to reflect its material heterogeneity, while the mechanical property of every composition in mesoscale concrete was quantitatively characterized; Secondly, the diffusion and reaction of sulfates in concrete were modelled, while its induced expansion deformation and damage evolution of CM matrix were formulated; Finally, by numerical implementation in ABAQUS, these developed models were used to numerically simulate the space–time distributions of sulfate and ettringite concentrations, expansive deformation, cracking damage, mechanical performance and failure mode of concrete, and results from numerical simulation were consistent with the experimental observations. Consequently, the developed model can describe time-varying chemo-mechanical behavior of concrete, and it is beneficial for the performance evaluation and life prediction of concrete structures in sulfate environments.