Three-scale stochastic homogenization of elastic recycled aggregate concrete based on nano-indentation digital images

Abstract

In this paper, three-scale stochastic elastic finite element analyses are made for recycled aggregate concrete (RAC) based on nano-indentation digital images. The elastic property of RAC contains uncertainties across scales. It has both theoretical and practical values to model and predict its mechanical performance. Based on homogenization theory, effective stochastic elastic moduli of RAC at three different scales are obtained using moving window technique, nano-indentation digital images, and Monte-Carlo method. It involves the generation of a large number of random realizations of microstructure geometry based on different volume fraction of the inclusions and other parameters. The mean value, coefficient of variation and probability distribution of the effective elastic moduli are computed considering the material multiscale structure. The microscopic randomness is taken into account, and correlations of RAC among five phases are investigated. The effective elastic properties are used to obtain the global behavior of a composite structure. It is indicated that the response variability can be considerably affected by replacement percentage of recycled aggregates.

Keywords

RAC / nano-indentation digital image / multiscale / microscopic randomness / homogenization

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