• Computers and Concrete
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• v.24 no.5
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• pp.413-422
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• 2019

In this study, 3D Meso-scale finite-element model is presented to study the mechanical behavior of steel microfiber-reinforced polymer concrete considering the random distribution of fibers in the matrix. The composite comprises two separate parts which are the polymer composite and steel microfibers. The polymer composite is assumed to be homogeneous, which its mechanical properties are measured by performing experimental tests. The steel microfiber-polymer bonding is simulated with the Cohesive Zone Model (CZM) to offer more-realistic assumptions. The CZM parameters are obtained by calibrating the numerical model using the results of the experimental pullout tests on an individual microfiber. The accuracy of the results is validated by comparing the obtained results with the corresponding values attained from testing the steel microfiber-reinforced polymer concrete incorporating 0, 1 and 2% by volume of microfibers, which indicates the excellent accuracy of the current proposed model. The results show that the microfiber aspect ratio has a considerable effect on the mechanical properties of the reinforced polymer concrete. Applying microfibers with a higher aspect ratio improves the mechanical properties of the composite considerably especially when the first crack appears in the polymer concrete specimens.

• Computers and Concrete
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• v.19 no.4
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• pp.375-385
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• 2017

In the present paper experimental and numerical analysis of hook-ended steel fiber reinforced concrete is carried out. The experimental tests are performed on notched beams loaded in 3-point bending using fiber volume fractions up to 1.5%. The numerical analysis of fiber reinforced concrete beams is performed at meso scale. The concrete is discretized with 3D solid finite elements and microplane model is used as a constitutive law. The fibers are modelled by randomly generated 1D truss finite elements, which are connected with concrete matrix by discrete bond-slip relationship. It is demonstrated that the presented approach, which is based on the modelling of concrete matrix using microplane model, able to realistically replicate experimental results. In all investigated cases failure is due to the pull-out of fibers. It is shown that with increase of volume content of fibers the effective bond strength and slip capacity of fibers decreases.

• Computers and Concrete
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• v.24 no.3
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• pp.207-222
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• 2019

This paper has presented an effective and accurate meso-scale finite element model for simulating the fracture process of concrete under compression-shear loading. In the proposed model, concrete is parted into four important phases: aggregates, cement matrix, interfacial transition zone (ITZ), and the initial defects. Aggregate particles were modelled as randomly distributed polygons with a varying size according to the sieve curve developed by Fuller and Thompson. With regard to initial defects, only voids are considered. Cohesive elements with zero thickness are inserted into the initial mesh of cement matrix and along the interface between aggregate and cement matrix to simulate the cracking process of concrete. The constitutive model provided by ABAQUS is modified based on Wang's experiment and used to describe the failure behaviour of cohesive elements. User defined programs for aggregate delivery, cohesive element insertion and modified facture constitutive model are developed based on Python language, and embedded into the commercial FEM package ABAQUS. The effectiveness and accuracy of the proposed model are firstly identified by comparing the numerical results with the experimental ones, and then it is used to investigate the effect of meso-structure on the macro behavior of concrete. The shear strength of concrete under different pressures is also involved in this study, which could provide a reference for the macroscopic simulation of concrete component under shear force.

• Computers and Concrete
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• v.15 no.5
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• pp.735-758
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• 2015

This work deals with unilateral effect of quasi-brittle materials, such as concrete. For this propose, a two-dimensional meso-scale model is presented. The material is considered as a three-phase material consisting of interface zone, matrix and inclusions - each constituent modeled by an appropriate constitutive model. The Representative Volume Element (RVE) consists of inclusions idealized as circular shapes randomly placed into the specimen. The interface zone is modeled by means of cohesive contact finite elements developed here in order to capture the effects of phase debonding and interface crack closure/opening. As an initial approximation, the inclusion is modeled as linear elastic as well as the matrix. Our main goal here is to show a computational homogenization-based approach as an alternative to complex macroscopic constitutive models for the mechanical behavior of the quasi-brittle materials using a finite element procedure within a purely kinematical multi-scale framework. A set of numerical examples, involving the microcracking processes, is provided. It illustrates the performance of the proposed model. In summary, the proposed homogenization-based model is found to be a suitable tool for the identification of macroscopic mechanical behavior of quasi-brittle materials dealing with unilateral effect.

• Structural Engineering and Mechanics
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• v.30 no.1
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• pp.99-117
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• 2008

This paper presents a comprehensive approach to the evaluation of macroscopic material parameters for natural stone and quarry masonry. To that end, a reliable non-linear material model on a meso-scale is developed to cover the random arrangement of stone blocks and quasi-brittle behaviour of both basic components, as well as the impaired cohesion and tensile strength on the interface between the blocks and mortar joints. The paper thus interrelates the following three problems: (i) definition of a suitable periodic unit cell (PUC) representing a particular masonry structure; (ii) derivation of material parameters of individual constituents either experimentally or running a mixed numerical-experimental problem; (iii) assessment of the macroscopic material parameters including the tensile and compressive strengths and fracture energy.

• Transactions of Materials Processing
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• v.24 no.3
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• pp.194-198
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• 2015

Microstructure based FE simulations were conducted to investigate the micro-mechanical properties of ferrite-martensite dual-phase steels. The FE model was built based on real microstructure images which were characterized by optical microscopy through the thickness direction. Serial sectioned 2D images were converted into semi-2D representative volume elements (RVEs) model. Each RVE model was subjected to a non-proportional loading condition and the mechanical response was analyzed on both the macroscopic and microscopic levels. Macroscopically, stress-strain curves were described under tension-compression and tension-orthogonal tension conditions and the Bauschinger effect was well captured for both loading paths. In addition, micromechanical properties were investigated in the view of stress-strain partitioning and strain localization during monotonic tension.

• Proceedings of the Korean Powder Metallurgy Institute Conference
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• 2006.09a
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• pp.264-265
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• 2006

The directions of further developments in the modeling of sintering are pointed out, including multi-scale modeling of sintering, on-line sintering damage criteria, particle agglomeration, sintering with phase transformations. A true multi-scale approach is applied for the development of a new meso-macro methodology for modeling of sintering. The developed macroscopic level computational framework envelopes the mesoscopic simulators. No closed forms of constitutive relationships are assumed for the parameters of the material. The model framework is able to predict the final dimensions of the sintered specimen on a global scale and identify the granular structure in any localized area for prediction of the material properties.

• Transactions of Materials Processing
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• v.24 no.6
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• pp.395-399
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• 2015

A microstructure-based finite element simulation was conducted to predict the plastic strain ratio (R-value) of a dual-phase (DP) steel. The representative volume elements (RVEs) concept was adopted for the image-based FE modeling and a 3D model was constructed using sequential 2D images. Each phase was considered with the von-Mises yield criterion and the Swift model. The Swift parameters were defined by the empirical equations based on the chemical composition. The developed model was applied to analyze the effect of residual stress on the R-value and stress distribution. In order to consider the residual stress development after cold rolling, 10 % compression was applied in the thickness direction and unloaded before the tensile stress was applied in the rolling direction. The results showed a reasonable prediction for the R-value evolution: a sharp increase at small strains was well described and a transition followed in the downward direction. The R-value evolution was analyzed using the stress distribution change on the π-plane

• Nuclear Engineering and Technology
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• v.41 no.1
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• pp.39-52
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• 2009

Theory-based models and high performance simulations are briefly reviewed starting with atomistic methods, such as Electronic Structure calculations, Molecular Dynamics, and Monte Carlo, continuing with meso-scale methods, such as Dislocation Dynamics and Phase Field, and ending with continuum methods that include Finite Element and Finite Volume. Special attention is paid to relating thermo-mechanical and chemical properties of the fuel to reactor parameters. By inserting atomistic models of point defects into continuum thermo-chemical calculations, a model of oxygen diffusivity in $UO_{2+x}$ is developed and used to predict point defect concentrations, oxygen diffusivity, and fuel stoichiometry at various temperatures and oxygen pressures. The simulations of coupled heat transfer and species diffusion demonstrate that including the dependence of thermal conductivity and density on composition can lead to changes in the calculated centerline temperature and thermal expansion displacements that exceed 5%. A review of advanced nuclear fuel performance codes reveals that the many codes are too dedicated to specific fuel forms and make excessive use of empirical correlations in describing properties of materials. The paper ends with a review of international collaborations and a list of lessons learned that includes the importance of education in creating a large pool of experts to cover all necessary theoretical, experimental, and computational tasks.

• Computers and Concrete
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• v.15 no.4
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• pp.485-501
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• 2015

Cooling by the flow of water through an embedded cooling pipe has become a common and effective artificial thermal control measure for massive concrete structures. However, an extreme thermal gradient induces significant thermal stress, resulting in thermal cracking. Using a mesoscopic finite-element (FE) mesh, three-phase composites of concrete namely aggregate, mortar matrix and interfacial transition zone (ITZ) are modeled. An equivalent probabilistic model is presented for failure study of concrete by assuming that the material properties conform to the Weibull distribution law. Meanwhile, the correlation coefficient introduced by the statistical method is incorporated into the Weibull distribution formula. Subsequently, a series of numerical analyses are used for investigating the influence of the correlation coefficient on tensile strength and the failure process of concrete based on the equivalent probabilistic model. Finally, as an engineering application, damage and failure behavior of concrete cracks induced by a water-cooling pipe are analyzed in-depth by the presented model. Results show that the random distribution of concrete mechanical parameters and the temperature gradient near water-cooling pipe have a significant influence on the pattern and failure progress of temperature-induced micro-cracking in concrete.