ECCOMAS 2024

Fully Coupled Dem/Cfd Studies on the Static/Dynamic Response of Partially Saturated Concrete

  • KRZACZEK, MAREK (Gdańsk University of Technology)
  • TEJCHMAN, JACEK (Gdańsk University of Technology)

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The impact of free water on the static and dynamic compressive and tensile characteristics of concrete in two-dimensional (2D) mesoscale conditions is examined in this study. On the static and dynamic mechanical properties of concrete (strength, brittleness, and fracture), the effect of free pore water content was mainly looked at. A pore-scale hydro-mechanical model based on a fully coupled DEM/CFD approach [1]-[3] was used to simulate the behaviour of completely and partially fluid-saturated concrete. The idea behind the approach was a network of channels in a continuous area between discrete elements to create a fluid movement. A two-phase laminar fluid flow (water and air) was proposed in partially wet concrete that had low porosity. Position and volumes of pores/cracks were considered to correctly track the liquid/gas content. A series of static and dynamic numerical simulations were run on bonded granular specimens of a simplified spherical mesostructure mimicking concrete in both dry and wet conditions. Investigations into the impact of saturation level on static and dynamic concrete strength and fracture were extensive. It was discovered that the saturation level had a major impact on how concrete behaved mechanically. As fluid saturation rose, so did the dynamic compressive and tensile strength. However, the static compressive and tensile strength diminished. In the static range, the concrete mesostructure allowed for fluid migration as a result of the slow deformation, and there were clear changes in pore fluid pressures and velocities. As a result, the pore fluid pressures accelerated the rate of fracture, which led to reduced strength. In the dynamic range, the concrete mesostructure prevented fluid migration as a result of the rapid loading brought on by the high strain rate, and there were relatively few changes in pore fluid pressures and velocities. As a result, the pore fluid pressures slowed the rate of fracture, which led to increased strength. The numerical DEM-CFD results were in agreement with corresponding laboratory test outcomes.