Investigation of drying-induced non-uniform deformation, stress, and micro-crack propagation in concrete

Journal article (2020)

Authors

Peng Gao South China University of Technology
Yang Chen South China University of Technology, Guangdong Provincial Academy of Building Research Group Co., Ltd.
Haoliang Huang Guangdong Low Carbon Technologies Engineering Center for Building Materials, South China University of Technology
Zhiwei Qian FEMRIS
E. Schlangen Materials and Environment - CEG
Jiangxiong Wei South China University of Technology, Guangdong Low Carbon Technologies Engineering Center for Building Materials
Qijun Yu South China University of Technology, Guangdong Low Carbon Technologies Engineering Center for Building Materials
Research Group
Materials and Environment (CEG) (TU Delft)
Copyright: © 2020 Peng Gao, Yang Chen, Haoliang Huang, Zhiwei Qian, E. Schlangen, Jiangxiong Wei, Qijun Yu
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.cemconcomp.2020.103786
Stress Drying shrinkage Digital image correlation Micro-cracks Non-uniform deformation
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Published Date

2020

Language

English

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Faculty

Civil Engineering & Geosciences

Department

Materials- Mechanics- Management & Design

Research Group

Materials and Environment

Abstract

Concrete generally deforms and cracks in a non-uniform manner under drying-induced stress. This study used the lattice fracture model to simulate the drying-induced non-uniform deformations, stresses, and micro-crack propagation in concrete. Experiments were designed to validate the lattice fracture model, wherein the drying-induced non-uniform deformations and micro-crack patterns in concrete were measured using a digital image correlation technique and a fluorescent epoxy impregnation method, respectively. It was found that the simulated non-uniform deformations and micro-crack patterns were close to the experimental observations. The interaction mechanism between drying-induced non-uniform stresses and micro-cracks was analysed based on the validated lattice fracture model. The micro-cracks were found to cause stress concentration both in coarse aggregate and the mortar that covered coarse aggregate, which could lead to high micro-cracking risk as drying continues.