Combined mechanical and 3D-microstructural analysis of strain-hardening cement-based composites (SHCC) by in-situ X-ray microtomography

Research output: Contribution to journalResearch articleContributedpeer-review

Contributors

  • Renata Lorenzoni - , Pontifícia Universidade Católica do Rio de Janeiro (Author)
  • Iurie Curosu - , Chair of Construction Materials (Author)
  • Fabien Léonard - , Federal Institute for Materials Research and Testing Berlin (Author)
  • Sidnei Paciornik - , Pontifícia Universidade Católica do Rio de Janeiro (Author)
  • Viktor Mechtcherine - , Chair of Construction Materials (Author)
  • Flavio A. Silva - , Pontifícia Universidade Católica do Rio de Janeiro (Author)
  • Giovanni Bruno - , Federal Institute for Materials Research and Testing Berlin (Author)

Abstract

The paper presents the results of a series of combined mechanical and in-situ morphological investigations on highstrength strain-hardening cement-based composites (SHCC). Tension and compression experiments were performed in a CT scanner employing a dedicated mechanical testing rig. The in-situ microtomographic scans enabled correlating the measured specimen response with relevant microstructural features and fracture processes. The microstructural segmentation of SHCC was performed in the framework of Deep Learning and it targeted an accurate segmentation of pores, fibers and aggregates. Besides their accurate volumetric representation, these phases were quantified in terms of content, size and orientation. The fracture processes were monitored at different loading stages and Digital Volume Correlation (DVC) was employed to spatially map the strains and cracks in the specimens loaded in compression. The DVC analysis highlighted the effect of loading conditions, specimen geometry and material heterogeneity at the mesolevel on the strain distribution and fracture localization.

Details

Original languageEnglish
Article number106139
JournalCement and concrete research
Volume136
Publication statusPublished - Oct 2020
Peer-reviewedYes