Effect of coarse aggregate size on non-uniform stress/strain and drying-induced microcracking in concrete

Journal article (2021)

Authors

Peng Gao South China University of Technology
Yang Chen South China University of Technology, Guangdong Low Carbon Technologies Engineering Center for Building Materials
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 Guangdong Low Carbon Technologies Engineering Center for Building Materials, South China University of Technology
Research Group
Materials and Environment (CEG) (TU Delft)
Copyright: © 2021 Peng Gao, Yang Chen, Haoliang Huang, Zhiwei Qian, E. Schlangen, Jiangxiong Wei, Qijun Yu
DOI
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https://doi.org/10.1016/j.compositesb.2021.108880
Drying shrinkage DIC Lattice modelling Microcracks Aggregate size Tensile stress shell
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Published Date

2021

Language

English

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Faculty

Civil Engineering & Geosciences

Department

Materials- Mechanics- Management & Design

Research Group

Materials and Environment

Abstract

Non-uniform stresses, strains and microcracking of the concretes with three coarse aggregate sizes (5–10 mm, 10–16 mm, 16–20 mm) dried under 40% relative humidity (RH) for 60 days were quantified using digital image correlation and lattice fracture modelling. The influencing mechanism of coarse aggregate size on the drying-induced microcracking of concrete was clarified: (1) As the coarse aggregate size decreases, propagation paths of microcracking are increased, which increase the number of small microcracks and release the drying shrinkage force from mortar phase. (2) Tensile stress shells surrounding the coarse aggregates become thinner, thereby decreasing the area of large microcracks. As the coarse aggregate size decreased from 16-20 mm to 5–10 mm, the average thickness of tensile stress shells decreased from 2.13 mm to 1.09 mm at the beginning of drying, and the area of the microcracks >5 μm in width decreased from 796.6 mm2/m2 to 340.2 mm2/m2 at 60 days since drying.