Multi-scale analysis framework for predicting tensile strength of cement paste by combining experiments and simulations. (May 2023)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Han, Tong-Seok; Eum, Donghwi; Kim, Se-Yun; Kim, Ji-Su; Lim, Jae-Hong; Park, Kyoungsoo; Stephan, Dietmar
• Is Part Of: Cement & concrete composites. Volume 139(2023)
• Publication Date: 2023-05
• Subjects: Cement paste -- Nanoindentation -- Microstructure -- Mechanical properties -- X-ray micro-CT -- Phase-field fracture model; Composite-reinforced concrete -- Periodicals; Concrete -- Periodicals; Composite materials -- Periodicals; Composites de ciment -- Périodiques; Béton -- Périodiques; Composites -- Périodiques; Béton léger -- Périodiques; Cement composites; Composite materials; Composite-reinforced concrete; Concrete; Lightweight concrete; Periodicals; Electronic journals; 620.135
• DOI: 10.1016/j.cemconcomp.2023.105006
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0958-9465

Abstract

Abstract: The experimental method that accurately assesses the responses of cementitious materials with complex microstructures requires significant time and effort. To address this issue, a multi-scale analysis approach that synergistically combines experiments and simulations can be adopted. In this study, a framework was designed to evaluate the macroscale (upper-scale) tensile strength of cement paste using microscale (lower-scale) characteristics and properties. The upper- and lower-scale microstructures of the cement paste are obtained through this approach using high-resolution synchrotron X-ray micro-CT. Solid-phase properties at the lower-scale are determined using a nanoindentation experiment and lower-scale micro-CT characteristics. The upper-scale solid phase properties are correlated by comparing the distributions of the linear attenuation coefficients or the grayscale values of the micro-CT images from the two scales. To evaluate the proposed method, splitting tensile test simulations of the cement pastes were conducted with upper-scale solid-phase input material parameters. The simulated results were comparable to the experimental ones. It was concluded that the proposed multi-scale approach combining experiments and simulations can reduce the time and effort required to evaluate the mechanical responses of cement paste. It thus contributes to advancing material innovations. Highlights: A multi-scale splitting tensile test simulation approach is proposed. Cement paste microstructures are characterized by two-scale micro-CT images. Microscale mechanical properties are determined from nanoindentation tests. Macroscale input modeling parameters are obtained by a scale-linking strategy.