Micromechanical investigation on size effect of tensile strength for recycled aggregate concrete using BFEM

In this paper, the validity and performance of base force element method (BFEM) based on potential energy principle was studied by some numerical examples. And the BFEM on damage mechanics is used to analyze the size effect on tensile strength for recycled aggregate concrete (RAC) at meso-level. The recycled aggregate concrete is taken as five-phase composites consisting of natural coarse aggregate, new mortar, new interfacial transition zone (ITZ), old mortar and old ITZ on meso-level. The random aggregate model is used to simulate the meso-structure of recycled aggregate concrete. The size effects of mechanical properties of RAC under uniaxial tensile loading are simulated using the BFEM on damage mechanics. The simulation results agree with the test results. This analysis method is the new way for investigating fracture mechanism and numerical simulation of mechanical properties for RAC.     

Base force element method (BFEM) on potential energy principle for elasticity problems

Using the concept of base forces, the problem of the explicit tensor expression of the element stiffness matrix for a new finite element method (FEM)??the base force element method (BFEM) was studied. The mathematic model of the BFEM on potential energy principle was established by using an explicit expression. A code for the BFEM was developed using MATLAB computer language. The approach was used to solve several problems of elasticity theory, and various shape elements were compared and analyzed. The numerical results are consistent with those of the theoretical solutions, and the applicability of this approach is verified.     

计算复合材料有效弹性模量的重心有限元方法

采用几何法构造出任意边数多边形单元的重心插值形函数, 应用Galerkin法提出了求解弹性力学问题的重心有限元方法。用重心有限元方法对SiC/Ti和B/Al 2种纤维复合材料横向截面的有效弹性模量进行了预报。计算模型取纤维呈六边形排列且为各向同性的代表性单胞, 对其杨氏模量、 剪切模量和体积模量在较大的体积分数范围内进行了数值模拟。通过与解析公式和传统有限元的计算结果对比, 重心有限元方法的计算结果符合解析公式解的趋势, 与传统有限元的计算结果吻合较好。与传统有限元方法相比, 重心有限元方法的单元划分不受三角形或四边形的形状限制, 能够再现材料的真实结构。由于单元较大且数目较少, 本文方法具有很高的计算效率。      

Failure processes of modeled recycled aggregate concrete under uniaxial compression

In order to investigate the failure processes of Recycled Aggregate Concrete (RAC), cracking behavior of modeled RAC specimens under compressive loading was investigated using Digital Image Correlation (DIC). Strain and displacement contour maps were produced to analyze the cracks’ initiation and propagation during loading. The testing results indicate that the discrepancy between the elastic moduli of coarse aggregates and mortar matrix significantly influences the mechanical properties and crack patterns of the modeled materials. It is found that the failure process is related to the relative strength of coarse aggregate and mortar matrix. For modeled RAC, the first bond cracks appear around both the old and new interfacial transition zones (ITZ), and then propagate into the old and new mortar matrix by connecting each other. The observation implies that the initiations and propagations of microcracks are different between RAC and Natural Aggregate Concrete (NAC). The findings in this investigation are useful to improve the mechanical properties of RAC by optimizing the mix proportion.     

再生粗骨料含量对钢管再生混凝土粘结强度及失效性态的影响研究

为了探究再生粗骨料取代率对钢管与再生混凝土界面粘结强度及破坏机理的影响, 设计15个圆钢管再生混凝土和9个方钢管再生混凝土短柱试件, 以混凝土强度等级和长径比为变化参数分组进行取代率的影响分析. 通过推出试验, 获取荷载-滑移曲线的特征点参数, 回归得到极限粘结强度的计算公式. 从界面耗能、粘结抗剪刚度、损伤等角度分析了取代率对其内在失效机理的影响. 研究结果表明:极限粘结强度拟合公式计算值与试验实测值吻合较好;再生粗骨料取代率变化对钢管再生混凝土接触界面粘结失效过程的耗能能力影响不大;而界面弹性粘结剪切刚度却随着取代率的增加而降低;剪切刚度退化速度则相反, 随着取代率的增加而加快;再生粗骨料粘附的水泥基和内部裂纹会加快钢管再生混凝土界面的粘结损伤过程.     

Variation in mechanical properties of natural and recycled aggregate concrete as related to the strength of their binding mortar

Experimental work was performed to study the effect of binding mortar strength on the mechanical properties of recycled natural aggregate concrete mixes as well as reference corresponding natural aggregate concrete mixes. The moduli of elasticity of both NAC and RAC were found to be higher than that of corresponding mortar by about 40% and 10% respectively, for all compressive strengths investigated. It was possible to reach compressive strength for RAC of 53.5 MPa. The ratios of compressive strength of NAC or RAC to that of mortar varied between (1.05–1.56) and (1.02–1.26) respectively, these ratios decreased with the increase in compressive strength. Also from the results of compressive strength, it was found that the ratios cylinder/cube compressive strengths of RAC and mortar were smaller than those of NAC. The ranges of values obtained were (0.71–0.84) and (0.69–0.75) for RAC and mortar respectively, while for NAC this ratio ranged between (0.81–0.92), these values were obtained for compressive strengths ranging between 15 to 55 MPa. It was found that it is better to relate the cylinder/cube strength ratio to the modulus of elasticity of the concrete or mortar rather than to its compressive strength. The flexural strength showed an opposite trend, the ratios of NAC and RAC to that of mortar ranged between (0.72–0.95)% and (0.61–0.80)% respectively. These ratios increased with the decrease in compressive strength of mortars. On the other hand, the splitting tensile strength of NAC was higher than that of RAC and mortar for all strength levels investigated. The ratio of NAC to mortar splitting tensile strength ranged between (1.13–1.69), while this ratio for RAC ranged between (0.87–1.36). Finally, several regressions were developed that can relate the mechanical properties of the three materials investigated.     

Flexural behavior of reinforced recycled aggregate concrete beams under short-term loading

Recycling of waste concrete is one of the sustainable solutions for the growing waste disposal crisis and depletion of natural aggregate sources. As a result, recycled concrete aggregate (RCA) is produced, and so far it has mostly been used in low-value applications such as for the pavement base. But, from the standpoint of promoting resource and energy savings and environmental preservation, it is essential to study whether a concrete made of recycled aggregates—recycled aggregate concrete (RAC) can be effectively used as a structural material. The experimental research presented in this paper is performed in order to investigate the flexural behavior of RAC beams when compared to the behavior of natural aggregate concrete (NAC) beams under short-term loading and consequently the possibility of using RAC in structural concrete elements. Three different percentages of coarse RCA in total mass of coarse aggregate in concrete mixtures (0 %—NAC, 50 %—RAC50, and 100 %—RAC100), and three different reinforcement ratios (0.28, 1.46, and 2.54 %) were the governing parameters in this investigation. Full-scale tests were performed on nine simply supported beams until the failure load had been reached. Comparison of load-deflection behavior, crack patterns, service deflections, failure modes and ultimate flexural capacity of NAC and RAC beams was made based on our own and other researchers’ test results. The results of conducted analysis showed that the flexural behavior of RAC beams is satisfactory comparing to the behavior of NAC beams, for both the service and ultimate loading. It is concluded that, within the limits of this research, the use of RAC in reinforced concrete beams is technically feasible.     

Effect of carbonation of modeled recycled coarse aggregate on the mechanical properties of modeled recycled aggregate concrete

The modeled recycled aggregate concrete (MRAC) which is an idealized model for the real recycled aggregate concrete (RAC) was used in this study. The MRCAs prepared with two types of old mortars were modified by an accelerated carbonation process. The effects of carbonation of MRCA on the micro-hardness of MRCA and the mechanical properties of MRAC were investigated. The results indicated that the micro-hardness of the old interfacial transition zone (ITZ) and the old mortar in the carbonated MRCAs was higher than that in the uncarbonated MRCAs, and the enhancement of the old ITZ was more significant than that of the old mortar. The compressive strength and modulus of MRACs increased when the carbonated MRCAs were utilized, and the improvement was more significant for MRAC prepared with a higher w/c. In addition, a numerical study was carried out and it showed that the improvement in strength by carbonation treatment was less obvious when the difference between the new and old mortar was larger.     

钢纤维-聚丙烯纤维混杂对再生混凝土抗冲击性能的影响

为研究钢纤维(SF)与聚丙烯纤维(PPF)混杂后对再生混凝土(RAC)抗冲击性能的影响,采用落锤弯曲冲击试验装置对素RAC、SF/RAC、PPF/RAC和SF-PPF/RAC进行抗冲击试验;分析了不同纤维掺量和掺入方式对RAC抗冲击性能的影响;采用数理统计模型对冲击试验结果进行拟合和失效概率预测,并对SF-PPF/RAC抗冲击性能的阻裂增强机制进行深入分析。结果表明:单掺或混杂纤维均可提高RAC的抗冲击性能;其中混合掺入体积分数为1.5vol%的SF和体积分数为0.9vol%的PPF时,RAC抗冲击耗能的提高幅度最大,RAC基体的延性和韧性最佳。SF-PPF/RAC的抗冲击次数很好地服从两参数Weibull分布。SF与PPF混杂对改善RAC的抗冲击性能呈现出优异的混杂增强效应。      

Impact of particle packing mix design method on fracture properties of natural and recycled aggregate concrete

The fracture properties of four types of concrete prepared using natural coarse aggregate and recycled coarse aggregate and conventional and particle packing method (PPM) of mix design approaches are studied. The three‐point bending (TPB) test is performed using three different sizes of single edge notched beam. The fracture energy is calculated from the load‐CMOD curve obtained in the TPB test, and in this process the load‐CMOD curve is curtailed at 2% of the depth of the beam. Based on CTOD_c and w₁ relationship, appropriate softening function is used to estimate the double‐K fracture parameters. The fracture energy and fracture toughness parameters of recycled aggregate concrete (RAC) is inferior to the natural aggregate concrete (NAC). The PPM mix design improves the fracture properties of concrete in comparison to the conventional mix design approach. The fracture properties of PPM mix designed RAC are comparable to that of NAC prepared using conventional method.     

再生粗骨料硅烷浸渍处理对混凝土介质传输性能的影响

由于残余砂浆的存在,再生粗骨料的物理力学指标远不及天然骨料,致使再生混凝土力学和耐久性能较差;此外,水分及有害离子侵入混凝土内部是引起混凝土材料性能劣化的主要原因。本试验用质量分数为8wt%的硅烷乳液浸渍强化再生粗骨料,通过抗压强度、毛细吸水和抗氯离子侵蚀试验对硅烷浸渍前后不同骨料质量取代率(0%、30%、50%)的再生混凝土介质传输性能进行了研究,最后利用SEM对再生混凝土内部的微观结构进行分析。试验结果表明,硅烷浸渍处理再生粗骨料的吸水率显著降低,由其制备的混凝土强度稍有所下降;再生混凝土毛细累积吸水量明显减少,且抗氯盐侵蚀性能显著提高,其中骨料质量取代率为50%的再生混凝土浸渍处理后氯离子扩散系数降低了37.5%。研究表明,硅烷浸渍处理再生粗骨料是提高再生混凝土耐久性的有效途径。      

Application of 3D-DIC to characterize the effect of aggregate size and volume on non-uniform shrinkage strain distribution in concrete

To elucidate the effect of aggregate size and volume on the non-uniform strain distribution in concrete, drying shrinkage of mortar and concretes were determined with 3D digital image correlation (3D-DIC). The distribution of shrinkage displacements and strains in mortar and concrete were analyzed. The results show that 3D-DIC makes it possible to measure non-uniform displacement distributions initiated by shrinkage in mortar and concrete. The non-uniformity became more remarkable with drying time. The presence of aggregates larger than 5 mm in concrete have locally changed the displacement and strain fields. Aggregates within 5–25 mm make non-uniform strain of concrete more fluctuant, especially when the aggregate size is larger than 10 mm. The maximum and minimum principal strain distributions became more heterogeneous with decreasing volume of aggregates.     

直剪作用下再生混凝土力学性能及强度指标换算

以再生粗骨料取代率为变化参数,通过75个再生混凝土(RAC)试件的直剪、抗压与劈裂抗拉试验,揭示了RAC的直剪破坏机制及不同强度指标之间的换算规律。结果表明:RAC在直剪作用下为明显的脆性破坏,粗骨料和水泥基体均被剪断;随着取代率的增加,RAC直剪强度较普通混凝土变化不大,总体上呈降低趋势,但50%取代率(按质量)时直剪强度有所增大;峰值剪切变形随取代率的增大,总体呈增大趋势,平均提高了18.85%;初始剪切变形模量随取代率的增大,总体呈降低的趋势,平均降低了8.97%;最后,基于试验数据提出了RAC剪切强度与抗压、劈裂抗拉强度的换算关系式,计算结果与试验值吻合较好。      

钢管再生混凝土长柱偏压性能研究

对10个圆钢管再生混凝土和10个方钢管再生混凝土长柱进行偏压静力单调加载试验,考虑了再生粗骨料取代率、长细比、偏心距3个变化参数,观察了试件受力的全过程和试件破坏形态,绘制出荷载-变形、荷载-应变等一系列重要关系曲线,给出了截面应变沿高度分布情况,并分析了变化参数对试件极限承载力的影响规律,采用国内外常用的8部相关规程计算两种截面形式试件的极限承载力。研究结果表明:钢管再生混凝土偏压长柱受力过程均经历了弹性阶段、屈服阶段和破坏阶段,破坏形态主要为弹塑性失稳破坏;建议采用规程DL/T5085-1999和DBJ13-51-2003设计圆钢管再生混凝土偏压长柱试件的极限承载力,采用规程CECS159:2004、DBJ13-51-2003设计方钢管再生混凝土偏压长柱试件的极限承载力。     

Influence of field recycled coarse aggregate on properties of concrete

This paper investigates the influence of different amounts of recycled coarse aggregates obtained from a demolished RCC culvert 15 years old on the properties of recycled aggregate concrete (RAC). A new term called “coarse aggregate replacement ratio (CRR)” is introduced and is defined as the ratio of weight of recycled coarse aggregate to the total weight of coarse aggregate in a concrete mix. To analyze the behaviour of concrete in both the fresh and hardened state, a coarse aggregate replacement ratio of 0, 0.25, 0.50 and 1.0 are adopted in the concrete mixes. The properties namely compressive and indirect tensile strengths, modulus of elasticity, water absorption, volume of voids, density of hardened concrete and depth of chloride penetration are studied. From the experimental results it is observed that the concrete cured in air after 7 days of wet curing shows better strength than concrete cured completely under water for 28 days for all coarse aggregate replacement ratios. The volume of voids and water absorption of recycled aggregate concrete are 2.61 and 1.82% higher than those of normal concrete due to the high absorption capacity of old mortar adhered to recycled aggregates. The relationships among compressive strength, tensile strengths and modulus of elasticity are developed and verified with the models reported in the literature for both normal and recycled aggregate concrete. In addition, the non-destructive testing parameters such as rebound number and UPV (Ultrasonic pulse velocity) are reported. The study demonstrates the potential use of field recycled coarse aggregates (RCA) in concrete.     

Mechanical behaviour of ancient masonry

The aim of this research was to build a behaviour law for ancient masonry made during the nineteenth century with bricks and lime mortar bonds. This work should be of interest to researchers involved in the study of ancient masonry structures like arch bridges built in this period. To assess the masonry capacity vaults to support service loads and to determine their collapse loads, engineers need mechanical behaviour laws for their component parts. This experimental research was performed to explore the behaviour of the bricks, of the lime mortar, and of a wall until their failure in compression. In parallel the bricks / mortar interface criterion failure under shear and tensile load is characterised. After laboratory tests, numerical simulations were carried out using a finite element method (FEM) to define an homogenised behaviour law for a macro element including bricks and lime mortar bonds. In this goal, a behaviour law was firstly found for each component and then for the masonry as a whole by a FEM homogenisation process, including the non-linear behaviour domain up to the compression failure. The tension failure being reported into an interface element for which the failure criterion was adjusted on specific tests.     

正交各向异性平面问题边界元——边境元素法研究

在文献[1]中,本文作者研究了正交各向异性平面问题边界元素法的有关基本理论和计算公式,在上述工作的基础上,本文进一步研究各向异性平面问题边界邻域的应力分析。当采用边界元素法分析应力时,由于边界积分的奇异性,边界邻域应力的计算结果往往存在一定误差。为解决此问题,本文提出一个基于修正余能原理的所谓边境元素,包括四节点边境元素、八节点边境元素和三节点边境元素等。在边界元素法求解的基础上,进一步利用本文所述边境元素法,得到了非常满意的计算结果。      

The use of building rubbles in concrete and mortar

Abstract

The main components of building rubble collected from demolished structures are waste concrete, brick and tile. A series of experiments using recycled aggregates of various compositions from building rubble were conducted. The test results show that building rubble can be transformed into useful recycled aggregate through proper processing. When the recycled aggregate was washed, the negative effects on the recycled concrete were greatly reduced. This is especially meaningful for flexural strength. Recycled coarse aggregate is the weakest phase given a low water/cement ratio. This effect will dominate the mechanical properties of recycled concrete. On the contrary, using recycled aggregate in concrete has little effect on its mechanical properties if the water/cement ratio is high. This mechanism does not occur in recycled mortar. The quantity of recycled fine aggregate will govern the mortar strength reduction percentage. Although using brick and tile in concrete will affect its mechanical properties, the effect is limited.     

Physio-chemical reactions in recycle aggregate concrete

Concrete waste constitutes the major proportion of construction waste at about 50% of the total waste generated. An effective way to reduce concrete waste is to reuse it as recycled aggregate (RA) for the production of recycled aggregate concrete (RAC). This paper studies the physio-chemical reactions of cement paste around aggregate for normal aggregate concrete (NAC) and RAC mixed with normal mixing approach (NMA) and two-stage mixing approach (TSMA) by differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) and scanning electron microscopy (SEM). Four kinds of physio-chemical reactions have been recorded from the concrete samples, including the dehydration of C(3)S(2)H(3), iron-substituted ettringite, dehydroxylation of CH and development of C(6)S(3)H at about 90 degrees C, 135 degrees C, 441 degrees C and 570 degrees C, respectively. From the DSC results, it is confirmed that the concrete samples with RA substitution have generated less amount of strength enhancement chemical products when compared to those without RA substitution. However, the results from the TSMA are found improving the RAC quality. The pre-mix procedure of the TSMA can effectively develop some strength enhancing chemical products including, C(3)S(2)H(3), ettringite, CH and C(6)S(3)H, which shows that RAC made from the TSMA can improve the hydration processes.     

Identification algorithm for fracture parameters by combining DIC and FEM approaches

This research program focuses on a hybrid experimental and numerical approach to identifying the mechanical state in the vicinity of a crack. The digital image correlation, as corrected by interpolating a theoretical displacement field, enables determining the crack opening intensity factors representative of the kinematic state of crack lips. A finite element model is introduced for calculating stress intensity factors. The parallelism derived from the DIC method and FEM approach is presented by means of a specific identification algorithm that allows computing the energy release rate within a common finite element mesh. This algorithm is then illustrated by testing the opening-mode configuration for a PVC sample.