Microstructure informed micromechanical modelling of hydrated cement paste: Techniques and challenges

Application of micromechanical modelling of hydrated cement paste (HCP) gains more and more interests in the field of cementitious materials. One of the most promising approaches is the use of so-called microstructure informed micromechanical models, which provides a direct link between microstructure and mechanical properties. In order to...

Improving printability of limestone-calcined clay-based cementitious materials by using viscosity-modifying admixture

In 3D concrete printing (3DCP), it is necessary to meet contradicting rheological requirements: high fluidity during pumping and extrusion, and high stability and viscosity at rest to build the layered structure. In this paper, the impact of the hydroxypropyl methylcellulose (HPMC)-based viscosity-modifying admixture (VMA) on the 3D printability...

Lattice Fracture Model for Concrete Fracture Revisited: Calibration and Validation

The lattice fracture model is a discrete model that can simulate the fracture process of cementitious materials. In this work, the Delft lattice fracture model is reviewed and utilized for fracture analysis. First, a systematic calibration procedure that relies on the combination of two uniaxial tensile tests is proposed to determine the input...

Discrete lattice fracture modelling of hydrated cement paste under uniaxial compression at micro-scale

A combination of laboratory experiments and numerical simulations at multiple length scales can provide in-depth understanding of fracture behaviour of hydrated cement paste (HCP). To that end, the current work presents a numerical study on compressive failure of hydrated cement paste (HCP) at the micro-scale. Virtual specimens consisting of...

Extended Lattice Model to Simulate the Printing Process of 3D Printed Cementitious Materials

This paper reports an extended lattice model for printing process simulation of 3D printed cementitious materials. In this model, several influencing factors such as material and geometric nonlinearity are considered. Using this model, green strength of cementitious material is investigated, deformation and crack pattern can be derived, which...

Lattice Model For Numerical Analysis Of Fracture Process Of Concrete Material Under Various Loading Conditions

The aim of this work is to investigate the fracture process of concrete under various boundary conditions. Although numerous concrete fracture tests have been reported, showing the failure behavior of concrete, their evaluation is ambiguous due to the limitations of specimen size and experimental conditions. Therefore, it is necessary to use...

Combined experimental and numerical study of uniaxial compression failure of hardened cement paste at micrometre length scale

The aim of this work is to investigate the mechanical performance of hardened cement paste (HCP) under compression at the micrometre length scale. In order to achieve this, both experimental and numerical approaches were applied. In the experimental part, micrometre sized HCP specimens were fabricated and subjected to uniaxial compression by...