Mesoscale simulation of frost damage to rock material based on Rigid Body Spring Method

Abstract

Frost damage is one of the most important deterioration factors for porous materials in cold and wet region. In this study, a mesoscale numerical study is conducted to estimate the frost damage of rock materials based on the Rigid Body Spring Method. The mesoscale elastoplastic constitutive law is presented cooperated with the ice formation model for the rock material. Then, the cyclic expansion of selected marble during multiple freeze-thaw cycles (FTC) is simulated, resulting in different values of residual strain. It is found that using the residual strain as a link between freezing process and mechanical degradation, the damaged compressive behaviors after different numbers of FTC can be successfully explained and reproduced, including the crack recovery phenomenon. The findings in this study are beneficial for the further simulation of frost deterioration history, considering the large variability in properties of rock material.