I am currently working with recycled aggregate concrete and using finite element simulations to predict its behavior under different conditions. I have faced several challenges in accurately modeling the properties of this material, especially considering its heterogeneous nature and the variability of recycled aggregates.
I would like to know what specific challenges others have encountered while modeling recycled aggregate concrete in finite element analysis and what methods or techniques have proven effective in addressing these issues. Any insights into improving the accuracy and reliability of these models would be greatly appreciated.
Shahir Ahmad Safi You are right!
Modeling RAC in FEA poses significant challenges due to the complex interface between recycled aggregates and the cement matrix, as well as the presence of voids and irregular shapes in recycled aggregates. You may consider some of these suggestions to overcome these challenges;
You may utilize X-ray CT or SEM to obtain detailed information about RAC's internal structure, enabling the creation of more accurate finite element models that account for material heterogeneity.
It would be crucial to implement multi-scale modeling to consider different scales of material behavior, from microstructural to macro-level performance, capturing complex interactions between RAC components.
While considering these, kindly do well to calibrate and validate your finite element model using experimental data to refine accuracy, and also perform sensitivity analyses to identify critical parameters for targeted adjustments.
Thank you