{"title":"Mesoscale simulation of C–S–H creep and stress relaxation by discrete element modelling","authors":"Zhe Zhang, Zhongbo Yuan, Guoqing Geng","doi":"10.1016/j.compositesb.2025.112360","DOIUrl":null,"url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>Creep and stress relaxation are time-dependent phenomena that deteriorate concrete structures, primarily occurring in calcium silicate hydrate, the key binder in Portland cement. Evaluating microstructure development during creep is challenging due to long testing durations. This study employs a novel discrete element method to model creep and stress relaxation in C–S–H, enabling microstructure evolution exploration. The simulation results align well with nanoindentation tests, allowing identification of key factors influencing creep. A microstructure-induced machine learning model is developed to describe the relationship between microstructure and creep deformation to assess the importance of various microstructure indices. This study directly verifies the mechanism by which high pressure accelerates the creep in nanoindentation tests. The influence of microstructure indices on creep is quantitatively analysed, revealing that penetration depth resulting from reduced modulus has the strongest correlation with creep. A detailed analysis of surface forces offers valuable insights for designing experiments and optimizing material properties.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":10660,"journal":{"name":"Composites Part B: Engineering","volume":"298 ","pages":"Article 112360"},"PeriodicalIF":12.7000,"publicationDate":"2025-03-03","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":"0","resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":null,"PeriodicalName":"Composites Part B: Engineering","FirstCategoryId":"5","ListUrlMain":"https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S1359836825002525","RegionNum":1,"RegionCategory":"材料科学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":null,"EPubDate":"","PubModel":"","JCR":"Q1","JCRName":"ENGINEERING, MULTIDISCIPLINARY","Score":null,"Total":0}
引用次数: 0
Abstract
Creep and stress relaxation are time-dependent phenomena that deteriorate concrete structures, primarily occurring in calcium silicate hydrate, the key binder in Portland cement. Evaluating microstructure development during creep is challenging due to long testing durations. This study employs a novel discrete element method to model creep and stress relaxation in C–S–H, enabling microstructure evolution exploration. The simulation results align well with nanoindentation tests, allowing identification of key factors influencing creep. A microstructure-induced machine learning model is developed to describe the relationship between microstructure and creep deformation to assess the importance of various microstructure indices. This study directly verifies the mechanism by which high pressure accelerates the creep in nanoindentation tests. The influence of microstructure indices on creep is quantitatively analysed, revealing that penetration depth resulting from reduced modulus has the strongest correlation with creep. A detailed analysis of surface forces offers valuable insights for designing experiments and optimizing material properties.
期刊介绍:
Composites Part B: Engineering is a journal that publishes impactful research of high quality on composite materials. This research is supported by fundamental mechanics and materials science and engineering approaches. The targeted research can cover a wide range of length scales, ranging from nano to micro and meso, and even to the full product and structure level. The journal specifically focuses on engineering applications that involve high performance composites. These applications can range from low volume and high cost to high volume and low cost composite development.
The main goal of the journal is to provide a platform for the prompt publication of original and high quality research. The emphasis is on design, development, modeling, validation, and manufacturing of engineering details and concepts. The journal welcomes both basic research papers and proposals for review articles. Authors are encouraged to address challenges across various application areas. These areas include, but are not limited to, aerospace, automotive, and other surface transportation. The journal also covers energy-related applications, with a focus on renewable energy. Other application areas include infrastructure, off-shore and maritime projects, health care technology, and recreational products.