An efficient and high-volume fraction 3D mesoscale modeling framework for concrete and cementitious composite materials

To address the cumbersome nature of mesoscale models for concrete as well as other similar materials, this paper presents an efficient and high-volume fraction mesoscale modeling framework with a novel aggregate surface tracking algorithm as well as an aggregate-cement interface interaction model to replace the interface transition zone (ITZ) in the three-dimensional space. This model could also be used in composite materials such as Fiber -reinforced polymer concrete. In this study, results are compared with the traditional 3 phases concrete models, uniaxial tension and compression models, and triaxial compression models for validation. The results show that the three-dimensional mesoscopic model can capture the detailed process of mesoscopic damage and the macroscopic behavior under different stress states while showing good agreement with the experimental results. It is demonstrated that compared with traditional methods, the new model can save up to 84 % of the pre-processing and computation time and provides a more convenient and efficient scheme for the three-dimensional mesoscopic modeling of concrete alike composite materials with good accuracy. This paper also presents several 3D mesoscale models of Fiber-reinforced polymer concrete.