Modelling of capillary water absorption in sound and cracked concrete using a dual-lattice approach: Computational aspects

Singla, A.; Šavija, B.; Sluys, Lambertus J.; Romero Rodriguez, C.

doi:10.1016/j.conbuildmat.2021.125826

Modelling of capillary water absorption in sound and cracked concrete using a dual-lattice approach

Title

Modelling of capillary water absorption in sound and cracked concrete using a dual-lattice approach: Computational aspects

Author

Singla, A. (TU Delft Applied Mechanics)
Šavija, B. (TU Delft Materials and Environment)
Sluys, Lambertus J. (TU Delft Materials- Mechanics- Management & Design)
Romero Rodriguez, C. (TU Delft Materials and Environment)

Department

Materials- Mechanics- Management & Design

Date

2022

Abstract

Lattice models have been used to simulate mass transport to predict durability of cementitious materials. In particular, the use of dual lattice meshes allows for the coupling of fracture and transport processes, which commonly occur at the same time in these materials. Literature has shown good agreement between simulations and experimental results. Nevertheless, work regarding relevant computational aspects of the numerical model are scarce. In this study, a Voronoi-discretized lattice model is used to simulate unsaturated moisture transport in cement-base materials through the Richards equation. First, investigations regarding the choice of elemental volume approximation, time-stepping procedure and quadrature are evaluated. After validation of the approximations, simulated moisture transport in sound concrete was compared to experiments and mesh and time step sensitivity were discussed. A new approach to model capillary absorption of water in cracked concrete was also proposed and its advantages with respect to existing approaches are discussed by comparing to experimental measurements. The results confirm that the model can accurately predict the transport processes for the earlier stage of capillary absorption. Furthermore, moisture ingress in cracked concrete is simulated for different crack configurations and the use of different approaches is suggested accordingly. Finally, guidelines regarding the approximations used for optimization of the computations are presented.

Subject

BiCGSTAB
Capillary absorption of water
Cracked concrete
Lattice model
Moisture transport
Voronoi tessellation

To reference this document use:

http://resolver.tudelft.nl/uuid:33c6eb96-9217-4487-877f-72bd62bced00

DOI

https://doi.org/10.1016/j.conbuildmat.2021.125826

ISSN

0950-0618

Source

Construction and Building Materials, 320, 1-17

Part of collection

Institutional Repository