Numerical simulation of hydro-thermo-mechanical behavior of concrete structures exposed to elevated temperatures

In this study, thermal spalling of high-strength concrete structural elements has been investigated by developing numerical models capable of analyzing the combined effects of mass and heat transfer phenomena on thermally induced stresses. Through the use of finite difference simulations, this study investigates moisture effects on thermodynamic states of concrete at elevated temperatures and the influence of pore pressure on development of thermal stress induced by temperature gradients. A finite element stress analysis model is combined with finite difference simulations to predict stress states capable of inducing spalling of the type that has been observed both in the field and in laboratory fire testing of concrete structural elements. The combined hydro-thermo-mechanical analysis procedure presented here may eventually serve as a critical component of stress analysis used for evaluating the fire resistance of high-strength concrete structural systems.; The model of concrete exposed to fire that is developed herein involves mass and heat transport phenomena in a multi-phase continuum. Simultaneous flow of multiple fluid phases (i.e., liquid and gaseous) is modeled using newly proposed constitutive relationships that are considered more accurate than those previously available in terms of assessment of thermodynamic state variables of concrete system. In addition, numerical simulations are used to explore the effects that steel reinforcing bars have on internal temperature and pressure within concrete members.; Pore pressure and temperature time histories from hydro-thermal finite difference simulations are presented and discussed. Results from the simulations yield an improved understanding of the thermodynamic state variables such as pore pressure, temperature, and degree of liquid water saturation. Selection of constitutive models to describe the flow characteristics of concrete and the procedures implemented for the creation of the concrete models are also discussed. Modeling aspects such as meshing techniques, selection of initial conditions, and definition of boundary conditions are discussed. The modeling techniques used to represent radiant heat flux boundary conditions and volume-averaging processes are explained in detail.; Finally, a theory of stress superposition is developed and subsequently used to evaluate stress states so as to determine the controlling contributor to thermal spalling of high-strength concrete, e.g., hydrostatic pore-pressures and thermal gradient stresses, under extreme thermal loading conditions.