A multiscale finite element model for prediction of tensile strength of concrete

Abstract

Concrete is a highly heterogeneous composite material on the microscopic length scale (10 −6 m) to the mesoscopic length scale (10 −1 m). The heterogeneous structure of concrete influences its macro mechanical properties. The multiscale approach is an effective method to analyze the mechanical properties of composite material and support the design of material. In this paper, a 3D multiscale model for prediction of tensile strength of concrete is presented. The microstructure of H ydrated C ement P aste (HCP) is generated by the HYMOSTURC and exported to the Abaqus by using Python program. The local background grid method is used to directly generate the meso-scale models of mortar and concrete. An uncoupled multiscale method is applied to transfer parameters from a smaller scale to a larger scale model. In the case of scale overlapping, parameter transfer is carried out through a simplified uncoupled averaging method. Finally, the multiscale model is verified by flexural test of mortar and splitting tensile test of concrete. • A multiscale model for concrete is constructed. • The mechanical properties of material in the larger scale model are obtained from the smaller scale model. • The multiscale model is verified by experiments. • The multiscale model can predict tensile strength of concrete based on its composition.