Microstructure-based 3D modelling of diffusivity in sound and cracked cement paste

Exposing reinforced concrete (RC) structures to aggressive environmental conditions is one of the main reasons that may limit their service life. Diffusion of chloride ions through concrete cover is one of the most damaging environmental actions, since it may cause corrosion of steel reinforcement. Therefore, modelling this phenomenon allows...

Modelling strategies for the study of crack self-sealing in mortar with superabsorbent polymers

In this work, a numerical model is presented to predict the self-sealing effect provided by superabsorbent polymers (SAP) admixtures in mortar. Firstly, the use of a law of absorption kinetics for SAP embedded in a cementitious matrix was validated with experimental results available in literature. Secondly, two extreme strategies are considered...

Numerical analysis of effect of micro-cracking and selfhealing on the long-term creep of cementitious materials

In order to gain a better understanding of the interaction between creep and micro-cracking during long-term creep process, a theoretical study was performed. An existing lattice model was modified to take creep into account. Based on the model, the micro-cracking in the creep process was simulated on a three-phase concrete sample under...

Micromechanical modelling of cement paste using X-ray computed tomography and statistical nanoindentation

This work proposes a new method for micromechanical simulation of cement paste based on a combination of statistical nanoindentation and XCT technique without the need for explicit identification of distinct phases. A linear relationship between the greyscale level and local Young’s modulus was assumed and verified by the two-sample Kolmogorov...