Discrete element modeling of concrete under high stress level: influence of saturation ratio

Computational Particle Mechanics volume 8, pages157–167(2021)Cite this article

Abstract

The discrete element model proposed in this paper addresses the macroscopic behavior of concrete taking into account the presence of free water in pores, thanks to a new interaction law between spherical discrete elements (DE). When concrete structures are subjected to a severe loading, e.g., an impact, material exhibits high triaxial compressive stresses which are highly influenced by the saturation ratio. In this new constitutive model, cracking and compaction are modeled at the interaction level between DEs and free water effects are taken into account by introducing a dependency between the water saturation ratio and the inelastic deformation due to the pore closure. The present numerical model has been implemented in the Yet Another Dynamic Engine code in order to deal with extreme loading situations leading to stress states characterized by a high mean stress level.

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Acknowledgements

This research was financially supported by CEA DAM, the Direction of Military Applications of the French Alternative Energies and Atomic Energy Commission. The authors would also like to thank Dr. Christophe Pontiroli for scientific advice.

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Affiliations

  1. 3SR, Univ. Grenoble Alpes, CNRS, Grenoble INP, 38000, Grenoble, France

    Hicham Benniou, Abdallah Accary, Yann Malecot, Matthieu Briffaut & Laurent Daudeville

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  1. Hicham Benniou
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  2. Abdallah Accary
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  3. Yann Malecot
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  4. Matthieu Briffaut
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  5. Laurent Daudeville
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Correspondence to Laurent Daudeville.

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Benniou, H., Accary, A., Malecot, Y. et al. Discrete element modeling of concrete under high stress level: influence of saturation ratio. Comp. Part. Mech. 8, 157–167 (2021). https://doi.org/10.1007/s40571-020-00318-5

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Keywords

  • DEM
  • Discrete element model
  • Concrete
  • Saturation ratio
  • Confined compression