Determination of mechanical parameters for elements in meso-mechanical models of concrete

Abstract

The responses of cement mortar specimens of different dimensions under compression and tension were calculated based on the discrete element method with the modified-rigid-body-spring concrete model, in which the mechanical parameters derived from macro-scale material tests were applied directly to the mortar elements. By comparing the calculated results with those predicted by the Carpinteri and Weibull size effects laws, a series of formulas to convert the macro-scale mechanical parameters of mortar and interface to those at the meso-scale were proposed through a fitting analysis. Based on the proposed formulas, numerical simulation of axial compressive and tensile failure processes of concrete and cement mortar materials, respectively were conducted. The calculated results were a good match with the test results.

Keywords

concrete / meso-mechanical model / discrete element method / size effect / mechanical parameter

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