Effectiveness of Meso-Scale Approach in Modeling of Plain Concrete Beam

Abstract

The main aim of this research paper is investigating the effectiveness and validity of Meso-Scale Approach (MSA) as a modern technique for the modeling of plain concrete beams. Simply supported plain concrete beam was subjected to two-point loading to detect the response in flexural. Experimentally, a concrete mix was designed and prepared to produce three similar standard concrete prisms for flexural testing. The coarse aggregate used in this mix was crushed aggregate. Numerical Finite Element Analysis (FEA) was conducted on the same concrete beam using the meso-scale modeling. The numerical model was constructed to be a bi-phasic material consisting of cement mortar and coarse aggregate. The interface between the two consisting materials was assumed fully bonded interface. In the ABAQUS program, the Extended Finite Element Method (XFEM) was employed for the treatment of the discontinuity problems, which is accompanied by cracking during the fracture process of plain concrete. The behavior and response of the beam in both meso-scale numerical analysis and experimental test were found in a good agreement. Another check was added by comparing the results using thin-beam theory assuming the concrete as a homogenous linear-elastic material. The result of this comparison showed that the meso-scale model analysis lies between theoretical and experimental models.