MESO-SCALE PARTICLE MODELING OF ALKALI-SILICA REACTION AND MECHANICAL PROPERTIES OF CONCRETE

A three-phase meso-scale model of concrete which consists of aggregate, mortar, and interface between aggregate and mortar is established by pre-processing approach and the particle flow code (PFC2D). A homogeneous aggregate expansion procedure is proposed to simulate alkali-aggregate reaction, and splitting tensile test is conducted to explore the mechanical properties of concrete subjected to the alkali-aggregate reaction. The numerical simulation shows that this model can effectively predict the expansion trend of concrete alkali aggregate reaction expansion; the splitting tensile strength of concrete subjected to the alkali-aggregate reaction fell sharply.