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Recent developments in durability mesomechanics of concrete, including cracking via interface elements

Abstract:

The mesomechanical model for concrete, previously developed for purely mechanical actions, is used as the basis for coupled durability mechanics calculations. Until now, the phenomena studied include drying shrinkage, external sulfate attack and mechanical effects of high temperatures. On-going work is focusing on alkali-silica reaction (ASR). From the chemical viewpoint, ASR is represented with a three-field, diffusion-reaction, chemical model which is shown to qualitatively and quantitatively reproduce some experimental measurements of sandwich-type specimens subject to standardized accelerated ASR tests. The model developed includes the recently identified role of calcium in this type of expansive reactions. © 2013 American Society of Civil Engineers.