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This paper is focused on the modelling of the mechanical consequences of external sulfate attack in concrete structures under partially or fully saturated conditions. To this purpose a weakly coupled approach is developed: first the moisture content is computed through a simplified diffusion model, then a reactive-diffusion model allows for the computation of the expansive products of the reaction occurring between the aluminates of the cement paste and the incoming sulfate ions, finally the solution of a nonlinear mechanical problem gives the expansion, the stress state and the degradation induced by the reaction. The mechanical problem makes use of a multiphase elasto-damage model, developed in this work and accounting for both chemical and mechanical damage. The model is validated by simulating various experimental tests on concrete specimens subject to external sulfate attack and then applied to the simulation of a reduced scale structure of a tunnel lining. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: In the present work the concrete affected by alkali–silica reaction (ASR) is represented as a two-phase material made of a solid skeleton and a wet expanding gel, which exerts a pressure capable of severely damaging the concrete surrounding the reactive sites. Both the effects of temperature and humidity conditions on the kinetic of the chemical reaction and on the final value of the consequent expansion are included in the proposed model. The mechanical degradation induced by the ASR is described by a phenomenological isotropic damage model. The constitutive model, implemented in a finite element code, is used for the analyses of structures made of reactive concrete in the presence of temperature and moisture gradients. Firstly the temperature and humidity fields are obtained through uncoupled heat and moisture transport analyses and then the chemo-mechanical analysis is performed starting from the values of temperature and humidity preliminary calculated. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

An anisotropic two-phase coupled chemo-thermo-damage model is proposed, for the simulation of the behavior of concrete affected by the alkali-aggregate reaction, which may create significant damage in existing concrete structures. The chemical reaction produces a gel expanding in the concrete pores, leading to macroscopic strength and stiffness deterioration in the concrete skeleton. The model is capable to account for the anisotropic damage development and consequent directional degradation of material properties. The model is validated against experimental tests taken from the literature. [ABSTRACT FROM PUBLISHER]