A parametric study of the meso-scale modelling of concrete subjected to cyclic compression

TL;DR

This paper investigates how different meso-scale parameters affect the hysteresis behavior of concrete under cyclic compression, using a detailed two-dimensional composite model.

Contribution

It introduces a parametric study exploring the influence of aggregate and ITZ properties on hysteresis loops in meso-scale concrete models.

Findings

Aggregate density and size significantly affect hysteresis shape.

ITZ strength influences permanent displacement behavior.

Meso-scale parameters control nonlinear fracture processes during cyclic loading.

Abstract

The present parametric study deals with the meso-scale modelling of concrete subjected to cyclic compression, which exhibits hysteresis loops during unloading and reloading. Concrete is idealised as a two-dimensional three-phase composite made of aggregates, mortar and interfacial transition zones (ITZs). The meso-scale modelling approach relies on the hypothesis that the hysteresis loops are caused by localised permanent displacements, which result in nonlinear fracture processes during unloading and reloading. A parametric study is carried out to investigate how aggregate density and size, amount of permanent displacements in the ITZ and the mortar, and the ITZ strength influence the hysteresis loops obtained with the meso-scale modelling approach.