Image-Based vs. Parametric Modelling of Concrete Meso-Structures

Abstract

Damage initiation and crack propagation in concrete are associated with localisation of energy dissipation by the concrete meso-structure. Meso-scale models are, therefore, required for realistic analysis of concrete non-linear behaviour. Such models are constructed either from X-ray Computed Tomography images (image-based modelling) or by in silico meso-structure generation (parametric modelling), while both approaches are widely used and their advantages and disadvantages are recognised, little work is done on comparing their performance in predicting measured macroscopic behaviour with equivalent constitutive relations for meso-structural features. This work uses microstructure characterisation and mechanical behaviour data to construct, validate and compare the two modelling approaches. The macroscopic behaviour obtained with both meso-structural models is found to be in good agreement with experimental data. Differences are observed only between the predicted distributions of damage within specimens. These outcomes suggest that the computationally simpler parametric meso-structures are sufficient to derive stress–strain behaviour for engineering-scale models in the absence of other environmental factors. The observed differences in damage distribution could be important for analysis of coupled behaviour, e.g., mass transport and chemical reactions affecting local mechanical properties and being affected by local damage. Establishing the importance of damage distribution is such cases requires further research.

Recent Advances in X-ray Computed Tomography for Alkali-Activated Materials: A Review

“…Specifically, this technique enables the quantification of diffusion tortuosity using high-resolution microtomographic images of cement-based materials (Promentilla et al 2009). This technology has already been extensively used for evaluating the transport properties in cement-based concrete, seen in Tan et al (2023), andWang et al (2022a). Provis et al (2012) pioneered to simulate and calculate the diffusion tortuosity of alkali-activated GGBFS and FA mixtures.…”

Interfacial transition zones in concrete meso-scale models – Balancing physical realism and computational efficiency

“…Nevertheless, synthetically generated meso-structures remain the main tool for analysis of meso-structural effects on macroscopic behaviour. The comparison of meso-scale concrete models with realistic and synthetic aggregate distribution can be found in Wang et al [57].…”

3D Multi-Ion Corrosion Model in Hierarchically Structured Cementitious Materials Obtained from Nano-XCT Data

“…However, their success crucially depends on accurate modeling of the mesoscale geometry. Hence the topology of the porous material is usually either constructed either from X-ray computed tomography (XCT) (image-based modelling) or by in silico meso-structure generation (parametric modelling) [ 8 ].…”