Cracking and thermal resistance in concrete: Coupled thermo-mechanics and phase-field modeling

Abstract

Modeling damage and fracture in concrete accurately is crucial for a comprehensive analysis of structures under concurrent thermal and mechanical actions. This paper presents a novel coupled thermo-mechanical phase field model for concrete at high temperatures. Derived from principles of thermodynamics and unified phase field theory, the model integrates temperature-dependent thermal and mechanical properties, accounting for thermal expansion and transient creep. Mechanical damage, represented by the crack phase field, is augmented by a temperature-dependent thermal damage variable for heat-induced degradation. Addressing the impact of cracks on heat conduction and stress redistributions, the model introduces a novel approach to depict thermal resistance, seamlessly integrating mechanics, heat transfer, and crack propagation. Governing equations for damage evolution are derived, and the numerical implementation is detailed. Numerical illustrations showcase the model's ability to simulate diverse thermo-mechanical cracking patterns without explicit fracture path tracking or assumed criteria. Moreover, the model captures the influence of thermal actions on concrete cracking behavior and mechanical performance. This research is significant for predicting multi-field coupling damage in concrete and structures exposed to elevated temperatures.