Mesoscopic analysis of different expansion causes in concrete by 3D Rigid Body Spring Model

Abstract

Previous observation with Scanning Electron Microscope （SEM） showed that it was difficult to identify whether the expansion in concrete is caused either by Delayed Ettringite Formation （DEF） or Alkali Silica Reaction （ASR） because cracking patterns for both cases are similar. In this study, a meso-scale threedimensional discrete analysis, specifically the Three-Dimensional Rigid Body Spring Model （3D RBSM）, is conducted to investigate the internal stresses and cracking conditions in concrete due to these different expansion causes.