Processing of nonlinear concrete creep curves using nonlinear optimization methods

The article proposes a method for determining the rheological parameters of concrete based on creep curves at various stress levels using the theory of V.M. Bondarenko. Using the proposed methodology, the experimental data presented in the work of A.V. Yashin is processed. The problem of searching for rheological parameters is posed as a nonlinear optimization problem. The sum of squared deviations of the experimental values of creep strains from the theoretical ones is minimized. The interior point method is used as a nonlinear optimization method. Four different expressions for the creep measure are considered, including the creep measure by N.Kh. Harutyunyan, creep measure by A.G. Tamrazyan, a creep measure in the form of a sum of two exponentials, and McHenry’s creep measure. It has been shown that the best agreement with experimental data is provided by the McHenry’s creep measure. An expression has been selected for the nonlinearity function, which describes the nonlinear relationship between stresses and creep strains. It is shown that the instantaneous nonlinearity of deformation and the nonlinearity that manifests itself over time cannot be described by a single function.