ABSTRACT
The objective of this paper is to present the first results obtained in the study of the mechanical behavior of a concrete structure subjected to the expansion caused by the effect of alkali-aggregate reactions, through a numerical simulation using the finite element-based software Cast3M – developed by the Department of modeling systems and structures of the Nuclear Energy Department of the Atomic Energy Commission and Alternative Energy (DMT/CEA – Département de Mécanique et Technologie du Commissariat l’Energle Atomique) in France. The alkali-aggregate reaction is one of the pathologicalmanifestations of higher degree of deterioration of concrete in bridge foundations blocks. For calibration of the experimental data in the literature were utilized. The numerical modeling of concrete structures subjected to alkali-aggregate reaction has to be considered the coupling of thermo-chemical-mechanical phenomena because the evolution of hydration reaction gives rise to thermal loads and shrinkage and because the thermal and mechanical properties are dependent the degree of hydration. The results of the model were satisfactory according to the experimental parameters used.
Keywords: Alkali-Aggregate Reaction; Numerical Analysis; Concrete Structures
