Skip to main content
SpringerLink
Log in

Meso-scale model for simulations of concrete subjected to cryogenic temperatures

  • Original Article
  • Published:
Materials and Structures Aims and scope Submit manuscript

Abstract

This paper includes computational analysis of the behavior of concrete subjected to cryogenic temperatures. The analysis is performed by developing a computationally implemented meso-scale model of concrete as a 3-phase composite that consists of mortar matrix, aggregate, and interfacial transition zone. The modeling results provide insight on the effects of concrete mixture design and properties on resistance to damage during cooling to cryogenic temperatures. The results show that the most important factor that affects damage is the difference in the coefficient of thermal expansion between the mortar and aggregates. Models in which the mortar and aggregate had close values of positive coefficients are predicted to experience less damage. The modeled material with irregular shape particles is predicted to experience more localized damage than the modeled material with circular shape particles. In addition, the model predicts a reduction in damage when air entrainment is present. The damage results predicted by the model for air entrained and non-air entrained concrete are in general agreement with experimental data from the literature.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this article

Log in via an institution

Price excludes VAT (USA)
Tax calculation will be finalised during checkout.

Instant access to the full article PDF.

Institutional subscriptions

Fig. 1
Fig. 2
Fig. 3
Fig. 4
Fig. 5
Fig. 6
Fig. 7
Fig. 8
Fig. 9
Fig. 10
Fig. 11
Fig. 12
Fig. 13
Fig. 14
Fig. 15
Fig. 16
Fig. 17

Similar content being viewed by others

References

  1. Krstulovic-Opara N (2007) Liquefied, natural gas storage: material behavior of concrete at cryogenic temperatures. ACI Mater J 104(3):297–306

    Google Scholar 

  2. Miura T (1989) The properties of concrete at very low temperatures. Mater Struct 22(4):243–254

    Article  Google Scholar 

  3. Kogbara RB, Iyengar SR, Grasley ZC, Masad EA, Zollinger DG (2013) A review of concrete properties at cryogenic temperatures: towards direct long containment. Constr Build Mater 47:760–770

    Article  Google Scholar 

  4. Rostasy FS, Schneider U, Wiedemann G (1979) Behavior of mortar and concrete at extremely low-temperatures. Cem Concr Res 9(3):365–376

    Article  Google Scholar 

  5. Marshall AL (1982) Cryogenic concrete. Cryogenics 22(11):555–565

    Article  Google Scholar 

  6. van Breugel K (1982) A designers perspective on cryogenic storage-systems for liquefied industrial gases. Cryogenics 22(7):331–334

    Article  Google Scholar 

  7. Kim SM (2010) Continuum-based multiscale computational damage modeling of cementitious composites. Civil Engineering. Ph.D. Texas A&M University, College Station

  8. Abu Al-Rub RK, Kim SM (2010) Computational applications of a coupled plasticity-damage constitutive model for simulating plain concrete fracture. Eng Fract Mech 77(10):1577–1603

    Article  Google Scholar 

  9. Abaqus manual theory 6.8.3. (2008) Dassault Systèmes Simulia Corp., Providence, RI, USA

  10. Cicekli U, Voyiadjis GZ, Abu Al-Rub RK (2007) A plasticity and anisotropic damage model for plain concrete. Int J Plast 23(10–11):1874–1900

    Article  MATH  Google Scholar 

  11. Kachanov L (1958) On the creep fracture time. Izvestiya Akademii Nauk SSSR. Otdelenie Tekhnicheskikh Nauk 8:26–31

  12. Lemaitre J, Chaboche JL (1978) Phenomenological approach of damage rupture. Journal De Mecanique Appliquee 2(3):317–365

    Google Scholar 

  13. Lubliner J, Oliver J, Oller S, Onate E (1989) A plastic-damage model for concrete. Int J Solids Struct 25(3):299–326

    Article  Google Scholar 

  14. Lee JH, Fenves GL (1998) Plastic-damage model for cyclic loading of concrete structures. J Eng Mech 124(8):892–900

    Article  Google Scholar 

  15. Taqieddin ZN (2008) Elasto-plastic and damage modeling of reinforced concrete. Civil Engineering. Ph.D. Louisiana State University, Louisiana

  16. Inada Y, Kinoshita N, Ebisawa A, Gomi S (1997) Strength and deformation characteristics of rocks after undergoing thermal hysteresis of high and low temperatures. Int J Rock Mech Min Sci 34(3–4):140–141

    Google Scholar 

  17. Lee GC, Shih TS, Chang KC (1988) Mechanical properties of high-strength concrete at low temperature. J Cold Reg Eng 2(4):169–178

    Article  Google Scholar 

  18. Yang CC, Lin YY (1996) Elastic modulus of concrete affected by elastic moduli of mortar and artificial aggregate. J Mar Sci Technol 4(1):43–48

    Google Scholar 

  19. Zheng JJ, Li CQ, Zhou XZ (2005) Thickness of interfacial transition zone and cement content profiles around aggregates. Mag Concr Res 57(7):397–406

    Article  Google Scholar 

  20. Sonebi M (2008) Utilization of micro-indentation technique to determine the micromechanical properties of ITZ in cementitious materials. ACI Spec Publ 254:57–67

    Google Scholar 

  21. Mukhopadhyay AK, Zollinger DG (2009) Development of dilatometer test method to measure coefficient of thermal expansion of aggregates. J Mater Civ Eng 21(12):781–788

    Article  Google Scholar 

  22. Wang ZM, Kwan AKH, Chan HC (1999) Mesoscopic study of concrete I: generation of random aggregate structure and finite element mesh. Comput Struct 70(5):533–544

    Article  MATH  Google Scholar 

  23. Du CB, Sun LG (2007) Numerical simulation of aggregate shapes of two-dimensional concrete and its application. J Aerosp Eng 20(3):172–178

    Article  MathSciNet  Google Scholar 

  24. Moon JH (2006) Autogenous shrinkage, residual stress, and cracking in cementitious composites: the influence of internal and external restraint. Civil Engineering. Ph.D. Purdue University, West Lafayette

  25. Callan EJ (1952) Thermal expansion of aggregates and concrete durability. ACI J Proc 48(2):485–504

    Google Scholar 

  26. Dela BF, Stang H (2000) Two-dimensional analysis of crack formation around aggregates in high-shrinkage cement paste. Eng Fract Mech 65(2):149–164

    Article  Google Scholar 

  27. Rahman S, Grasley Z (2014) A poromechanical model of freezing concrete to elucidate damage mechanisms associated with substandard aggregates. Cem Concr Res 55:88–101

    Article  Google Scholar 

  28. Verbeck GJ, Landgren R (1960) Influence of physical characteristics of aggregates on frost resistance of concrete. PCA Bull 126(60):1063–1079

    Google Scholar 

  29. ACI 376 code requirements for design and construction of concrete structures for the containment of refrigerated gases and commentary. 2010, American Concrete Institute

  30. Cohen MD, Zhou YX, Dolch WL (1992) Non air-entrained high-strength concrete: is it frost resistant? ACI Mater J 89(4):406–415

    Google Scholar 

  31. Philleo RE (1986) Freezing and thawing resistance of high-strength concrete. Transportation Research Board

  32. Lukefahr E, Du LX (2010) Coefficients of thermal expansion of concrete with different coarse aggregates-texas data. J Test Eval 38(6):683–690

    Google Scholar 

Download references

Acknowledgments

The authors thank Dr. Eyad Masad for his technical assistance. This paper was made possible by a NPRP award [4-410-2-156] from the Qatar National Research Fund (a member of The Qatar Foundation). The statements made herein are solely the responsibility of the authors.

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Zachry Department of Civil Engineering, Texas A&M University, College Station, TX, 77843, USA

    Noor Masad, Dan Zollinger, Sun-Myung Kim & Zachary Grasley

Authors
  1. Noor Masad
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  2. Dan Zollinger
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  3. Sun-Myung Kim
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  4. Zachary Grasley
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

Corresponding author

Correspondence to Zachary Grasley.

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

About this article

Check for updates. Verify currency and authenticity via CrossMark

Cite this article

Masad, N., Zollinger, D., Kim, SM. et al. Meso-scale model for simulations of concrete subjected to cryogenic temperatures. Mater Struct 49, 2141–2159 (2016). https://doi.org/10.1617/s11527-015-0639-x

Download citation

  • Received:

  • Accepted:

  • Published:

  • Issue Date:

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1617/s11527-015-0639-x

Keywords

Search

Navigation