Finite element analysis of stress–strain relationship and failure pattern of concrete under uniaxial compression considering freeze–thaw action

Abstract

In order to study the uniaxial compression behavior of concrete before and after freeze–thaw cycles, the uniaxial compression test of 100 mm × 100 mm × 300 mm prism was carried out by comparing the experimental and numerical simulation results. A three-dimensional mesoscopic model considering the random shape and size of aggregate was established. The failure mechanism, failure pattern and stress–strain curve of concrete under uniaxial compression before and after freeze–thaw cycles were compared to verify the reliability of the three-dimensional modeling method and corresponding calculation parameters of concrete. Finally, a reliable unified constitutive model of concrete stress–strain curve relationship considering freeze–thaw damage variables is established, which can better reflect the continuous change law of concrete uniaxial compressive stress–strain relationship during freeze–thaw process. More importantly, this work provides a reference for future study of stress–strain intrinsic relationship of concrete freeze–thaw damage using numerical simulation through a small amount of experiments.