Reconstruction of internal structures and numerical simulation for concrete composites at mesoscale

Chengbin Du,Wu QIN,Hairong Xu,Dong Lei,Shouyan Jiang,김충호 사단법인 한국계산역학회 2012 Computers and Concrete, An International Journal Vol.10 No.2

At mesoscale, concrete is considered as a three-phase composite material consisting of the aggregate particles, the cement matrix and the interfacial transition zone (ITZ). The reconstruction of the internal structures for concrete composites requires the identification of the boundary of the aggregate particles and the cement matrix using digital imaging technology followed by post-processing through MATLAB. A parameter study covers the subsection transformation, median filter, and open and close operation of the digital image sample to obtain the optimal parameter for performing the image processing technology. The subsection transformation is performed using a grey histogram of the digital image samples with a threshold value of [120, 210] followed by median filtering with a 16 × 16 square module based on the dimensions of the aggregate particles and their internal impurity. We then select a “disk” tectonic structure with a specific radius, which performs open and close operations on the images. The edges of the aggregate particles (similar to the original digital images) are obtained using the canny edge detection method. The finite element model at mesoscale can be established using the proposed image processing technology. The location of the crack determined through the numerical method is identical to the experimental result, and the load-displacement curve determined through the numerical method is in close agreement with the experimental results. Comparisons of the numerical and experimental results show that the proposed image processing technology is highly effective in reconstructing the internal structures of concrete composites.

Study on dynamic interaction between crack and inclusion or void by using XFEM

Jiang, Shouyan,Du, Chengbin Techno-Press 2017 Structural Engineering and Mechanics, An Int'l Jou Vol.63 No.3

This paper devoted to study dynamic interaction between crack and inclusion or void by developing the eXtended Finite Element Methods (XFEM). A novel XFEM approximation is presented for these structures containing multi discontinuities (void, inclusion, and crack). The level set methods are used so that elements that include a crack segment, the boundary of a void, or the boundary of an inclusion are not required to conform to discontinuous edges. The investigation covers the effects of a single circular or elliptical void / stiff inclusion, and multi stiff inclusions on the crack propagation path under dynamic loads. Both the void and the inclusion have a significant effect on the dynamic crack propagation path. The crack initially curves towards into the void, then, the crack moves round the void and propagates away the void. If a large void lies in front of crack tip, the crack may propagate into the void. If an enough small void lies in front of crack tip, the void may have a slight or no influence on the crack propagation path. For a stiff inclusion, the crack initially propagates away the inclusion, then, after the crack moves round the inclusion, it starts to propagate along its original path. As ${\delta}$ (the ratio of the elastic modulus of the inclusion to that of the matrix) increases, a larger curvature of the crack path deflection can be observed. However, as ${\delta}$ increases from 2 to 10, the curvature has an evident increase. By comparison, the curvature has a slight increase, as ${\delta}$ increases from 10 to 1000.

An investigation into the effects of voids, inclusions and minor cracks on major crack propagation by using XFEM

Shouyan Jiang,Chengbin Du,Chongshi Gu 국제구조공학회 2014 Structural Engineering and Mechanics, An Int'l Jou Vol.49 No.5

For the structures containing multiple discontinuities (voids, inclusions, and cracks), the simulation technologies in the framework of extended finite element method (XFEM) are discussed in details. The level set method is used for representing the location of inner discontinuous interfaces so that the mesh does not need to align with these discontinuities. Several illustrations have been given to verify that the implemented XFEM program is effective. Then, the implemented XFEM program is used to investigate the effects of the voids, inclusions, and minor cracks on the path of major crack propagation. For a plate containing cracks and voids, two possibly crack path can be observed: i) the crack propagates into the void; ii) the crack initially curves towards the void, then, the crack reorients itself and propagates along its original orientation. For a plate with a soft inclusion, the final predicted crack paths tend to close with the inclusion, and an evident difference of crack paths can be observed with different inclusion material properties. However, for a plate with a hard inclusion, the paths tend to away from the inclusion, and a slightly difference of crack paths can only be seen with different inclusion material properties. For a plate with several minor cracks, the trend of crack paths can still be described as that the crack initially curves towards these minor cracks, and then, the crack reorients itself and propagates almost horizontally along its original orientation.

Numerical analysis of sheet pile wall structure considering soil-structure interaction

Jiang, Shouyan,Du, Chengbin,Sun, Liguo Techno-Press 2018 Geomechanics & engineering Vol.16 No.3

In this paper, a numerical study using finite element method with considering soil-structure interaction was conducted to investigate the stress and deformation behavior of a sheet pile wall structure. In numerical model, one of the nonlinear elastic material constitutive models, Duncan-Chang E-v model, is used for describing soil behavior. The hard contact constitutive model is used for simulating the behavior of interface between the sheet pile wall and soil. The construction process of excavation and backfill is simulated by the way of step loading. We also compare the present numerical method with the in-situ test results for verifying the numerical methods. The numerical analysis showed that the soil excavation in the lock chamber has a huge effect on the wall deflection and stress, pile deflection, and anchor force. With the increase of distance between anchored bars, the maximum wall deflection and anchor force increase, while the maximum wall stress decreases. At a low elevation of anchored bar, the maximum wall bending moment decreases, but the maximum wall deflection, pile deflection, and anchor force both increase. The construction procedure with first excavation and then backfill is quite favorable for decreasing pile deflection, wall deflection and stress, and anchor forces.

An investigation into the effects of voids, inclusions and minor cracks on major crack propagation by using XFEM

Jiang, Shouyan,Du, Chengbin,Gu, Chongshi Techno-Press 2014 Structural Engineering and Mechanics, An Int'l Jou Vol.49 No.5

For the structures containing multiple discontinuities (voids, inclusions, and cracks), the simulation technologies in the framework of extended finite element method (XFEM) are discussed in details. The level set method is used for representing the location of inner discontinuous interfaces so that the mesh does not need to align with these discontinuities. Several illustrations have been given to verify that the implemented XFEM program is effective. Then, the implemented XFEM program is used to investigate the effects of the voids, inclusions, and minor cracks on the path of major crack propagation. For a plate containing cracks and voids, two possibly crack path can be observed: i) the crack propagates into the void; ii) the crack initially curves towards the void, then, the crack reorients itself and propagates along its original orientation. For a plate with a soft inclusion, the final predicted crack paths tend to close with the inclusion, and an evident difference of crack paths can be observed with different inclusion material properties. However, for a plate with a hard inclusion, the paths tend to away from the inclusion, and a slightly difference of crack paths can only be seen with different inclusion material properties. For a plate with several minor cracks, the trend of crack paths can still be described as that the crack initially curves towards these minor cracks, and then, the crack reorients itself and propagates almost horizontally along its original orientation.

Calculation of dynamic stress intensity factors and T-stress using an improved SBFEM

Xinran Tian,Chengbin Du,Shangqiu Dai,Denghong Chen 국제구조공학회 2018 Structural Engineering and Mechanics, An Int'l Jou Vol.66 No.5

The scaled boundary finite element method is extended to evaluate the dynamic stress intensity factors and T-stress with a numerical procedure based on the improved continued-fraction. The improved continued-fraction approach for the dynamic stiffness matrix is introduced to represent the inertial effect at high frequencies, which leads to numerically better conditioned matrices. After separating the singular stress term from other high order terms, the internal displacements can be obtained by numerical integration and no mesh refinement is needed around the crack tip. The condition numbers of coefficient matrix of the improved method are much smaller than that of the original method, which shows that the improved algorithm can obtain well-conditioned coefficient matrices, and the efficiency of the solution process and its stability can be significantly improved. Several numerical examples are presented to demonstrate the increased robustness and efficiency of the proposed method in both homogeneous and bimaterial crack problems.

Study on dynamic interaction between crack and inclusion or void by using XFEM

Shouyan Jiang,Chengbin Du 국제구조공학회 2017 Structural Engineering and Mechanics, An Int'l Jou Vol.63 No.3

This paper devoted to study dynamic interaction between crack and inclusion or void by developing the eXtended Finite Element Methods (XFEM). A novel XFEM approximation is presented for these structures containing multi discontinuities (void, inclusion, and crack). The level set methods are used so that elements that include a crack segment, the boundary of a void, or the boundary of an inclusion are not required to conform to discontinuous edges. The investigation covers the effects of a single circular or elliptical void / stiff inclusion, and multi stiff inclusions on the crack propagation path under dynamic loads. Both the void and the inclusion have a significant effect on the dynamic crack propagation path. The crack initially curves towards into the void, then, the crack moves round the void and propagates away the void. If a large void lies in front of crack tip, the crack may propagate into the void. If an enough small void lies in front of crack tip, the void may have a slight or no influence on the crack propagation path. For a stiff inclusion, the crack initially propagates away the inclusion, then, after the crack moves round the inclusion, it starts to propagate along its original path. As δ (the ratio of the elastic modulus of the inclusion to that of the matrix) increases, a larger curvature of the crack path deflection can be observed. However, as δ increases from 2 to 10, the curvature has an evident increase. By comparison, the curvature has a slight increase, as δ increases from 10 to 1000.

Hydraulic fracture simulation of concrete using the SBFEM-FVM model

Peng Zhang,Chengbin Du,Wenhu Zhao,Deheng Zhang 국제구조공학회 2021 Structural Engineering and Mechanics, An Int'l Jou Vol.80 No.5

In this paper, a hybrid scaled boundary finite element and finite volume method (SBFEM-FVM) is proposed for simulating hydraulic-fracture propagation in brittle concrete materials. As a semi-analytical method, the scaled boundary finite element method is introduced for modelling concrete crack propagation under both an external force and water pressure. The finite volume method is employed to model the water within the crack and consider the relationship between the water pressure and the crack opening distance. The cohesive crack model is used to analyse the non-linear fracture process zone. The numerical results are compared with experimental data, indicating that the F-CMOD curves and water pressure changes under different loading conditions are approximately the same. Different types of water pressure distributions are also studied with the proposed coupled model, and the results show that the internal water pressure distribution has an important influence on crack propagation.

Calculation of dynamic stress intensity factors and T-stress using an improved SBFEM

Tian, Xinran,Du, Chengbin,Dai, Shangqiu,Chen, Denghong Techno-Press 2018 Structural Engineering and Mechanics, An Int'l Jou Vol.66 No.5

The scaled boundary finite element method is extended to evaluate the dynamic stress intensity factors and T-stress with a numerical procedure based on the improved continued-fraction. The improved continued-fraction approach for the dynamic stiffness matrix is introduced to represent the inertial effect at high frequencies, which leads to numerically better conditioned matrices. After separating the singular stress term from other high order terms, the internal displacements can be obtained by numerical integration and no mesh refinement is needed around the crack tip. The condition numbers of coefficient matrix of the improved method are much smaller than that of the original method, which shows that the improved algorithm can obtain well-conditioned coefficient matrices, and the efficiency of the solution process and its stability can be significantly improved. Several numerical examples are presented to demonstrate the increased robustness and efficiency of the proposed method in both homogeneous and bimaterial crack problems.