Mesoscopic Generation of Random Concrete Structure Using Equivalent Space Method

Abstract

Concrete is a composite material with a wide variety of inhomogeneity. The mechanical behavior of concrete depends on the properties of its components. Mesoscopic model which treats concrete as a heterogeneous material consisting of coarse aggregates, mortar matrix with fine aggregates dissolved in it and Interfacial Transition Zone (ITZ) provides an effective approach to study how the properties of concrete components can affect its mechanical behavior. For such a study it is first necessary to generate a random concrete structure that resembles real concrete specimens. In this paper, an efficient simulation method for generating random concrete structure at mesolevel based on Monte Carlo random sampling principle is outlined and compared with two other most frequently used methods. A new method, the ‘equivalent space method', appears to be more convenient for both low and high volume fraction specimens. In this method with each random selection of a value as the position of an aggregate particle with a definite size, more options for its position will be reached and examined. This leads to more realistic concrete models with less random numbers.In this paper an efficient simulation method for generating random concrete structure at mesolevel based on Monte Carlo random sampling principle is outlined and compared with two other most frequently used methods. A new method, the ‘equivalent space method', appears to be more convenient for both low and high volume fraction specimens. In this method with each random selection of a value as the position of an aggregate particle with a definite size, more options for its position will be reached and examined. This leads to more realistic concrete models with less random numbers.