Adaptive Damage Simulation of Concrete Using Heterogeneous Multiscale Models

Abstract

In this paper, an adaptive heterogeneous multiscale model, which couples substructures with different length scales into one numerical model, is introduced for the simulation of damage in concrete. In the presented approach, the evolution of microcracks is simulated using a mesoscale model, which explicitly represents the heterogeneous material structure of concrete, namely aggregates, mortar matrix and interfacial transition zone. The mesoscale model is restricted to the damaged parts of the structure, whereas undamaged regions are simulated on the macroscale. As a result, an adaptive enlargement of the mesoscale model during the simulation is necessary.