Frost stochastic damage meso-equivalence method of concrete with freeze–thaw cycles

Abstract

In cold regions, frost resistance is a critical factor affecting the durability of reinforced concrete (RC) structures. In light of this, the frost stochastic damage meso-equivalence method (FSDMEM) was established based on the frost stochastic damage (FSD) model, which considers the frost stochastic damage and is combined with the random aggregate model (RAM). According to the FSDMEM, the meso-equivalence calculation model was proposed and its reliability can be verified by comparing test and calculation results of concrete specimens after freeze–thaw cycles (FTCs) and RC columns after FTCs. The results show that the maximum deviation between calculation and test results of mechanical property degradation of concrete specimens was only 5.71%, which confirms the accuracy of the FSDMEM. The calculation results of both meso-calculation and meso-equivalence calculation models are in good agreement with test results, and the meso-equivalence calculation model is more efficient than the meso-calculation model, with a considerably smaller number of equivalent elements, making it more suitable for the simulation of large-scale RC structures. The stiffness of some RC columns with FTCs is only half that of un-FTC RC columns, and the bearing capacity of RC columns exhibits a significant decline under loading due to the FTCs deterioration of concrete. The meso-equivalence calculation results the stiffness and bearing capacity of RC columns are consistent with the test results, with a small deviation, verifying the accuracy of the FSDMEM.