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Predicting the volume instability of hydrated cement systems upon freezing using poro-mechanics and local phase equilibria

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Abstract

The present paper presents a detailed description of a model elaborated to predict the behavior of hydrated cement systems subjected to sub-freezing temperatures. The model was developed within the framework of poro-mechanics and accounts for local thermodynamic equilibrium between various phases. Ice formation is described at the pore scale and its effects on the thermoporo-elastic behavior of the homogenized porous medium are considered. Basic numerical considerations are formulated. A comparison with experimental results illustrates the ability of the model to predict the volume instabilities of hydrated cement pastes upon freezing.

Résumé

Les principaux aspects d'un modèle permettant de prédire le comportement au gel de matériaux cimentaires sont détaillés. Le modèle a été développé en se basant sur les concepts de la poro-mécanique et permet de prendre en considération l'équilibre thermodynamique local entre différentes phases. La formation de la glace est décrite à l'échelle du pore et ses effets sur le comportement thermo-poro-élastique du milieu poreux homogénéisé sont considérés. Des considérations numériques élémentaires sont formulées. Une comparaison avec des résultats expérimentaux illustre la capacité du modèle à prédire les instabilités volumiques de pâtes de ciment hydraté exposées à des conditions de gel.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. CRIB-Civil Engineering Department, Laval University, G1K 7P4, Quebec City, Quebec, Canada

    B. Zuber & J. Marchand

  2. Numerical Engineering and Consulting Services, 29 rue Léon Frot, 75011, Paris, France

    B. Zuber

  3. SIMCO Technologies Inc., G1P 4R7, Quebec City, Quebec, Canada

    J. Marchand

Authors
  1. B. Zuber
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  2. J. Marchand
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Additional information

Editorial Note Laval University (Canada) is a RILEM Titular Member. Prof. Jacques Marchand is Editor in Chief forConcrete Science and Engineering and Associate Editor forMaterials and Strutures, as well as a member of the RILEM Management Advisory Committee (MAC). He was awarded the 2000 Robert L'Hermite Medal. He also participates in the work of RILEM TC 195-DTD ‘Recommendation for test methods for autogenous deformation and thermal dilation of early age concrete’.

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Zuber, B., Marchand, J. Predicting the volume instability of hydrated cement systems upon freezing using poro-mechanics and local phase equilibria. Mat. Struct. 37, 257–270 (2004). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF02480634

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF02480634

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