Inverse Analysis of Related Parameters in Calculation of Concrete Drying Shrinkage Based on ANSYS Design Optimization

Abstract

Drying shrinkage because of moisture diffusion is a critical factor influencing the durability of concrete structures. Numerical simulation of moisture diffusion and drying shrinkage inside concrete, on the basis of the mechanism of drying shrinkage, is significant to better understanding and predicting drying shrinkage-induced cracking. To correctly simulate the drying effect on concrete deformation, diffusion coefficient, surface factor and other factors are essentially required. This paper presents the simulations of shrinkage tests of concrete blended with fly ash and ground granulated blast furnace slag based on the theory of three-dimensional nonlinear moisture diffusion. The related parameters are identified by the inverse finite-element analysis approach using the design optimization module of ANSYS. The environmental humidity effect on shrinkage strain and the relationships between the identified parameters with the fly ash content are discussed.