Numerical analysis of concrete structures subjected to alkali-aggregate reaction

Abstract

In this paper a simple continuum theory, as recently proposed by Pietruszczak (Int. J. Computers Struct., 58, 1093–1099 (1996)), is applied to describe the mechanical effects of the alkali-aggregate reaction in concrete structures. The formation of alkali- silica gel leads to a progressive expansion of the material. The progress in the reaction is assumed to be coupled with the degradation of mechanical properties, the latter described within the framework of elastoplasticity. The paper discusses the details of the numerical implementation of the constitutive model, including an implicit integration scheme and the computation of an updated tangent operator. Numerical examples are provided to assess the performance of the proposed algorithm. The formulation is then used to analyse the junction between the right-wing dam and the water intake structure of the Beauharnois powerhouse situated in Quebec (Canada). A non-linear 3D finite element analysis is performed simulating the time history of the deformation due to continuing reaction.