A 3D coupled finite element model for simulating mechanical regain in self-healing cementitious materials

Freeman, Brubeck Lee and Jefferson, Anthony ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-2050-2521 2023. A 3D coupled finite element model for simulating mechanical regain in self-healing cementitious materials. Journal of Engineering Mechanics 149 (7) , 6944. 10.1061/JENMDT.EMENG-6944

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Abstract

This study presents a new 3D coupled model for simulating self-healing cementitious materials. The mechanical behaviour is described using a damage-healing cohesive zone model that is implemented using a new embedded strong discontinuity hexahedral element. The transport component of the model considers the flow of healing agent through discrete cracks, governed by the mass balance equation with Darcy’s law being employed for the healing agent flux. The dependency of the mechanical response on the healing agent transport is accounted for through a local crack filling function that represents the amount of healing agent available to undergo healing. The healing itself is described by a generalised healing front model that simulates the accumulation of healed material within the crack, emanating from the crack faces. The performance of the model is demonstrated through the consideration of a healing front study and experimental tests on self-healing cementitious specimens. The examples consider a vascular self-healing cementitious specimen that uses a sodium silicate solution as the healing agent and the autogenous healing of a cementitious specimen with and without crystalline admixtures. The results of the validations show that the model is able to reproduce the experimentally observed behaviour with good accuracy.

Item Type:	Article
Date Type:	Publication
Status:	Published
Schools:	Engineering
Subjects:	T Technology > TA Engineering (General). Civil engineering (General)
Publisher:	American Society of Civil Engineers
ISSN:	0733-9399
Funders:	EPSRC
Date of First Compliant Deposit:	8 March 2023
Date of Acceptance:	24 February 2023
Last Modified:	12 Nov 2023 03:33
URI:	https://orca.cardiff.ac.uk/id/eprint/157584

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