Title:
Mechanical Analysis with Moving-Window Generalized Method of Cells
Author(s):
David J. Corr and Lori L. Graham
Publication:
Materials Journal
Volume:
100
Issue:
2
Appears on pages(s):
156-164
Keywords:
concrete; debonding; mechanical analysis
DOI:
10.14359/12556
Date:
3/1/2003
Abstract:
A model based on the moving window generalized method of cells (GMC) is presented for the mechanical analysis of concrete microstructure. This model includes debonding to describe damage phenomena in concrete and to capture aggregate-cement paste interfacial cracking and eventual macrocracking, events that are accepted as the major sources of nonlinearity in the stress-strain behavior of concrete. Debonding in the GMC model results in stress-strain responses that are highly dependent on the orientation of aggregate particles within the cement paste matrix. The model is calibrated to typical concrete stress-strain responses and run to generate equivalent material property fields for an actual concrete microstructure. Statistical analysis of the resulting data underscores a number of features of the model. The elastic moduli both before and after straining are highly correlated to the volume fraction of aggregate in the material. The elastic modulus after debonding has occurred is correlated to the presence of aggregate-cement paste interfaces in the direction of the applied strain. The model shows significant promise for evaluating the material properties of concrete specimens based on their individual microstructural characteristics.