A finite element implementation of delayed ettringite formation in concrete structures
Résumé
Delayed Ettringite Formation (DEF) in concrete is likely to develop in massive civil engineering structures such as bridges, nuclear plants, and dams with major security issues. DEF pathology can lead to swelling and cracking which may significantly impact mass transfer and mechanical properties. It is then of major importance to build predictive tools for engineering conceptions and expertizes. In this contribution,
the chemical swelling evolution is integrated within the overall constitutive law of concrete that, besides, can experience other phenomena such like damage, plasticity, and long term creep, not all considered here. On another hand, as DEF is activated by environmental humidity above a certain threshold, we use a notion of effective time that takes into account the cumulative exposition above this threshold. Hence, a special care is taken with regards to the chemical irreversibility, together with the humidity-drying cycles. The computations
are used to calibrate the model parameters with the help of results from an experimental compaign where two kinds of concretes were studied; one with siliceous aggregates, and one with calcious aggregates. We show the efficiency of the developed numerical tool through a series of examples.
La pathologie de Réaction Sulfatique Interne (RSI) se développe dans les structures massives telles que les ponts, barrages, radiers d'installations nucléaires. Elle peut induire des gonflements significatifs qui peuvent influencer les propriétés mécaniques. Il est donc important de développer des outils prédictifs afin de mener des expertises. Dans cette contribution, on s'intéresse à la prise en compte de conditions d'humidité variables dans la cinétique de gonflement. Les exemples numériques permettent également de calibrer les paramètres des modèles pour mener des calculs d'ouvrages. Ici deux types de bétons sont testés: l'un basé sur des granulats à base de silice, l'autre sur des granulats à base de calcaire. On montre l'efficacité de l'outil numérique par la méthode des éléments finis développé à cet effet.