Macroscopic diffusivity in concrete determined by computationalhomogenization

Artikel i vetenskaplig tidskrift, 2013

Effective moisture and chloride ion diffusivity coefficients for concrete are determined by computational homogenization, where concrete is modeled on the mesoscale as a heterogenous three-phase composite material. By imposing moisture and chloride ion gradients on a representative volume element, effective macroscale properties are obtained through finite element analysis. A parametric study of the effects of the ballast content was carried out. The numerical results correspond well with an estimate of the Hashin-Shtrikman type available in the literature. The computational homogenization strategy proposed here also includes the interfacial transition zone, and its influence on the effective diffusivity coefficients is assessed.