Valentina Salomoni

An approach for modelling concrete spalling in finite strains

A new approach for modelling concrete spalling process is here proposed, taking into account a fully nonlinear-displacement/strain theory able to catch complex interactions between pressure, thermal and mechanical fields. The micro-structural modelling of concrete under fire conditions is derived from a mechanical and thermodynamic consistent theory and it is strictly related to a self-consistent, carefully extracted set of experimental data, in order to make a correct validation and calibration of the numerical F.E. procedures and codes. Even if appearing as a first but successful example, it is shown that a procedure accounting for coupled material and geometric nonlinearities is able to attain valuable and realistic numerical results concerning spalling process in concrete.

Thermal‐fluid flow within innovative heat storage concrete systems for solar power plants

Purpose – The purpose of this paper is to describe an experience of R&D in the field of new technologies for solar energy exploitation within the Italian context. Concentrated solar power systems operating in the field of medium temperatures are the main research objectives, directed towards the development of a new and low‐cost technology to concentrate the direct radiation and efficiently convert solar energy into high‐temperature heat.Design/methodology/approach – A multi‐tank sensible‐heat storage system is proposed for storing thermal energy, with a two‐tanks molten salt system. In the present paper, the typology of a below‐grade cone shape storage is taken up, in combination with nitrate molten salts at 565°C maximum temperature, using an innovative high‐performance concrete for structures absolving functions of containment and foundation.Findings – Concrete durability in terms of prolonged thermal loads is assessed. The interaction between the hot tank and the surrounding environment (ground) is co...

Three‐dimensional modelling of bond behaviour between concrete and FRP reinforcement

Purpose – The purpose of this paper is to investigate the bond behaviour between fiber reinforced polymer (FRP) sheets and concrete elements, starting from available experimental evidences, through a calibrated and upgraded 3D mathematical‐numerical model.Design/methodology/approach – The complex mechanism of debonding/peeling failure of FRP reinforcement is studied within the context of damage mechanics to appropriately catch transversal effects and developing a more realistic and comprehensive study of the delamination process. The FE ABAQUS© code has been supplemented with a numerical procedure accounting for Mazarss damage law inside the contact algorithm.Findings – It has been shown that such an approach is able to catch the delamination evolution during loading processes as well.Originality/value – A Drucker‐Prager constitutive law is adopted for concrete whereas FRP elements are assumed to behave in a linear‐elastic manner, possibly undertaking large strains/displacements. Surface‐to‐surface conta...

Hygrothermal and mechanical model of concrete at high temperature

A computational model allowing for the thermohygrometric and mechanical analysis of concrete structures at high temperature by means of the finite element method is presented. The model includes creep coupled with damage and related cross-effects due to hygrothermal behaviour. A comparison between experimental tests performed by Bažantet al. on concrete cylinders at high temperature and the numerical results obtained from the model presented are shown.RésuméOn présente un modèle pour l’analyse thermohygrométrique et mécanique des structures en béton à haute température au moyen de la méthode des éléments finis. Ce modèle inclut le fluage associé à l’endommagement et les effets reliés au comportement hygrothermique. On présente une comparaison entre des résultats des essais réalisés par Bažantet al. sur des cylindres en béton à haute température et les résultats numériques obtenus du modèle.

Elastoplastic subsidence models with and without capillary effects

This paper investigates reservoir compaction and resulting surface subsidence during the exploitation of a gas reservoir and in the period after well shutdown. A substantial difference in behaviour results when assuming elastic and elastoplastic constitutive relationships for the reservoir rock and surroundings. Further, a correction is introduced to account for capillary effects, which strongly modify the behaviour especially after shutdown and may account for the ongoing subsidence observed.

New methodologies in teaching e‐structural mechanics using WWW

A recently initiated phase of experimentation and research in the online Distance Learning (DL) is here described. The project has been developed by the Department of Construction and Transportation Engineering of the Faculty of Engineering at the University of Padua along with the well‐established e‐learning experience of the SSIS Veneto (Institute for the Formation of Secondary Schools Teachers) of Cà Foscari—University of Venice, in collaboration with the webmaster management of TCN‐EnginSoft of Padua. The work deals with teaching methodologies supported by the net, computer communication and information technologies, finalized to give both widespread access to useful resources and to create a more flexible exchange due to net communication. The experimentation of using web‐based technologies to support traditional teaching for working students is described; in fact, Internet‐based innovations offer opportunities for a curriculum improvement to those categories of students who could be considered at a disadvantage, like worker students or students with ear or motion deafness.

Radiation damage evaluation on concrete within a facility for Selective Production of Exotic Species (SPES Project), Italy

Concrete is commonly used as a biological shield against nuclear radiation. As long as, in the design of nuclear facilities, its load carrying capacity is required together with its shielding properties, changes in the mechanical properties due to nuclear radiation are of particular significance and may have to be taken into account in such circumstances. The study presented here allows for reaching first evidences on the behavior of concrete when exposed to nuclear radiation in order to evaluate the consequent effect on the mechanical field, by means of a proper definition of the radiation damage, strictly connected with the strength properties of the building material. Experimental evidences on the decay of the mechanical modulus of concrete have allowed for implementing the required damage law within a 3D F.E. research code which accounts for the coupling among moisture, heat transfer and the mechanical field in concrete treated as a fully coupled porous medium. The development of the damage front in a concrete shielding wall is analyzed under neutron radiation and results within the wall thickness are reported for long-term radiation spans and several concrete mixtures in order to discuss the resulting shielding properties.

Mechanical and durability behaviour of growing concrete structures

Purpose – This paper seeks to analyse 3D growing concrete structures taking into account the phenomenon of body accretion, necessary for the simulation of the construction sequence, and carbon dioxide attack.Design/methodology/approach – A typical 3D segmental bridge made of precast concrete is studied through a fully coupled thermo‐hygro‐mechanical F.E. model. The durability of the bridge is evaluated and carbonation effects are considered. Creep, relaxation and shrinkage effects are included according to the theory developed in the 1970s by Bažant for concretes and geomaterials; the fluid phases are considered as a unique mixture which interacts with a solid phase. The porous material is modelled using n Maxwell elements in parallel (Maxwell‐chain model).Findings – First, calibration analyses are developed to check the VISCO3D model capabilities for predicting carbonation phenomena within concrete and the full 3D structure is modelled to further assess the durability of the bridge under severe condition...

Thermo‐hygro‐mechanical meso‐scale analysis of concrete as a viscoelastic‐damaged material

Purpose – Knowledge of the behavior of concrete at mesoscale level requires, as a fundamental aspect, to characterize aggregates and specifically, their thermal properties if fire hazards (e.g. spalling) are accounted for. The assessment of aggregates performance (and, correspondingly, concrete materials made of aggregates, cement paste and ITZ – interfacial transition zone) is crucial for defining a realistic structural response as well as damage scenarios.Design/methodology/approach – It is here assumed that concrete creep is associated to cement paste only and that creep obeys to the B3 model proposed by Bažant and Baweja since it shows good compatibility with experimental results and it is properly justified theoretically.Findings – First, the three‐dimensionality of the geometric description of concrete at the meso‐level can be appreciated; then, creep of cement paste and ITZ allows to incorporate in the model the complex reality of creep, which is not only a matter of fluid flow and pressure dissipa...

New Trends in Designing Parabolic trough Solar Concentrators and Heat Storage Concrete Systems in Solar Power Plants

Energy availability has always been an essential component of human civilization and the energetic consumption is directly linked to the produced wealth. In many depressed countries the level of solar radiation is considerably high and it could be the primary energy source under conditions that low cost, simple-to-be-used technologies are employed. Then, it is responsibility of the most advanced countries to develop new equipments to allow this progress for taking place. A large part of the energetic forecast, based on economic projection for the next decades, ensure us that fossil fuel supplies will be largely enough to cover the demand. The predicted and consistent increase in the energetic demand will be more and more covered by a larger use of fossil fuels, without great technology innovations. A series of worrying consequences are involved in the above scenario: important climatic changes are linked to strong CO2 emissions; sustainable development is hindered by some problems linked to certainty of oil and natural gas supply; problems of global poverty are not solved but amplified by the unavoidable increase in fossil fuel prices caused by an increase in demand. These negative aspects can be avoided only if a really innovative and more acceptable technology will be available in the next decades at a suitable level to impress a substantial effect on the society. Solar energy is the ideal candidate to break this vicious circle between economic progress and consequent greenhouse effect. The low penetration on the market shown today by the existent renewable technologies, solar energy included, is explained by well-known reasons: the still high costs of the produced energy and the “discontinuity” of both solar and wind energies. These limitations must be removed in reasonable short times, with the support of innovative technologies, in view of such an urgent scenario. On this purpose ENEA, on the basis of the Italian law n. 388/2000, has started an R&D program addressed to the development of CSP (Concentrated Solar Power) systems able to take advantage of solar energy as heat source at high temperature. One of the most relevant objectives of this research program (Rubbia, 2001) is the study of CSP systems operating in the field of medium temperatures (about 550°C), directed towards the development of a new and low-cost technology to concentrate the direct radiation and efficiently convert solar