Thermal and linear-elastic properties of lightweight concrete
Abstract
This work is concerned by the prediction of the linear-elastic and thermal properties of lightweight agregate concrete.
The 3D microstructures of two samples, with low and high-porosity, are imaged using microtomography. Image analysis techniques are used to segment the pores in each microstructure. First, Fourier-based computations are carried out to determine the elastic macroscopic response, using experimental data for the elastic moduli of the cement paste. These results are compared with experimental measurements of the elastic response of the samples. Numerical and experimental results are compared and discussed. Second, the thermal response is considered. We determine, using Fourier methods, the thermal conductivity of the matrix that allows one to recover the experimental data for the effective thermal response of the samples. We highlight how the apparent discrepancies between Fourier-based computations and experimental data might be resolved.