Multiscale Concrete Modeling of Aging Degradation

Technical Report · Fri Jul 31 00:00:00 EDT 2015

DOI:https://doi.org/10.2172/1223389· OSTI ID:1223389

Hammi, Yousseff ^[1]; Gullett, Philipp ^[1]; Horstemeyer, Mark F. ^[1]

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1. Mississippi State Univ., Mississippi State, MS (United States)

In this work a numerical finite element framework is implemented to enable the integration of coupled multiscale and multiphysics transport processes. A User Element subroutine (UEL) in Abaqus is used to simultaneously solve stress equilibrium, heat conduction, and multiple diffusion equations for 2D and 3D linear and quadratic elements. Transport processes in concrete structures and their degradation mechanisms are presented along with the discretization of the governing equations. The multiphysics modeling framework is theoretically extended to the linear elastic fracture mechanics (LEFM) by introducing the eXtended Finite Element Method (XFEM) and based on the XFEM user element implementation of Giner et al. [2009]. A damage model that takes into account the damage contribution from the different degradation mechanisms is theoretically developed. The total contribution of damage is forwarded to a Multi-Stage Fatigue (MSF) model to enable the assessment of the fatigue life and the deterioration of reinforced concrete structures in a nuclear power plant. Finally, two examples are presented to illustrate the developed multiphysics user element implementation and the XFEM implementation of Giner et al. [2009].

• Research Organization: Mississippi State Univ., Mississippi State, MS (United States)
• Sponsoring Organization: USDOE Office of Nuclear Energy (NE)
• DOE Contract Number: AC07-05ID14517
• OSTI ID: 1223389
• Report Number(s): 10-956; 10-956
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English