Papers by Author: Xin Zhu Zhou

Abstract: The effect of aggregate shape on the chloride diffusivity of concrete is studied. To represent the heterogeneity of concrete, a three-phase composite ellipse model is constructed and the relative dimensions are determined by calculating the area fraction of interfacial transition zone in a numerical manner. The height of each bar in the lattice mesh is derived analytically. The lattice method is then used to estimate the chloride diffusivity of concrete. After the validity of the numerical method is verified with experimental results, the effect of aggregate shape on the chloride diffusivity of concrete is evaluated in a quantitative manner.

Abstract: This paper presents a numerical method that can predict the Young’s modulus of ceramic with reasonable accuracy. By introducing periodic conditions, the distribution of pores in the matrix phase is simulated. The lattice model is then employed for the analysis of stress in the pore structure and for the determination of the maximum element length. Finally, the validity of the proposed numerical method is preliminarily verified with the experimental results obtained from the literature.

Abstract: A simple and efficient spline integral equation method is presented in this paper for the axisymmetrical bending of circular plates with large deflection. Based on two second-order differential equations in terms of the slope of the deflection surface and the radial displacement of the circular plate, two integral equations are derived. The circular plate is then equidistantly divided into a circular plate element and a series of annular plate elements along its radial direction and the slope of the deflection surface and the radial displacement are both approximated by cubic spline interpolation. The two integral equations are solved numerically and the displacements and internal forces at any point within the circular plate can be obtained. Finally, some numerical results are presented for illustrating the validity of the proposed method. It can be concluded that the proposed numerical method can be used to analyze circular plates with large deflection with reasonable accuracy.

Abstract: A simple spline integral equation method is presented in this paper for the axisymmetrical bending of circular plates with variable thickness. Firstly, the fundamental solution of a second-order differential equation is derived. With the slope of the deflection surface taken as an unknown function, an integral equation is then established for circular plates with variable thickness. The integral equation is solved numerically by cubic spline interpolation and the deflection and bending moment at any point within the circular plate are obtained. Finally, the validity of the proposed method is verified with the analytical solution obtained from the literature.

Abstract: Practical experience and observations suggest that corrosion affected reinforced concrete (RC) structures are more prone to cracking than other forms of structural deterioration. Concrete cracking incurs considerable costs of repairs and inconvenience to the public due to interruptions. This gives rise to the need for prediction of the time to surface cracking of concrete in order to achieve cost-effectiveness in maintaining the serviceability of RC structures. The intention of this paper is to develop a numerical method for predicting the time to surface cracking of corrosion affected RC structures. In this method, concrete with embedded reinforcing steel bars is modeled as a thick-wall cylinder. With an exponential curve modeling the energy dissipation process in concrete, the element transfer matrix is derived analytically. The time to surface cracking is then determined by solving the nonlinear problem numerically. Finally, the validity of this numerical method is verified by comparing with experimental results collected from the research literature.

Abstract: Crack width is a significant parameter for assessing service life of reinforced concrete structures in chloride-laden environments. Corrosion-induced concrete cracking is a predominant causal factor influencing premature degradation of reinforced concrete structures, incurring considerable costs for repairs and inconvenience to the public due to interruptions. This gives rise to the need for accurate prediction of crack width in order to achieve cost-effectiveness in maintaining serviceability of concrete structures. It is in this regard that the present paper attempts to develop a quasi-brittle mechanical model to predict crack width of chloride contaminated concrete structures. Assuming that cracks be smeared uniformly in all directions and concrete be a quasi-brittle material, the displacement and stress in a concrete cover, before and after surface cracking, were derived respectively in an analytical manner. Crack width, as a function of the cover depth, steel bar diameter, corrosion rate and time, was then determined. Finally, the analysis results were verified by comparing the solution with the experimental results. The effects of the cover depth, steel bar diameter and corrosion rate on the service life were discussed in detail.

Abstract: A three-phase composite circle model is presented in this paper to assess the effect of interfacial transition zone (ITZ) on the chloride diffusion coefficient of concrete. Firstly, the distribution of circular aggregate particles was simulated in a square concrete element. Based on the simulated concrete mesostructure, the Monte Carlo algorithm was adopted to numerically evaluate the ITZ area fraction for different concrete mixes. A parametric study was then conducted to quantify the effects of the largest aggregate diameter, ITZ thickness and aggregate gradation on the ITZ area fraction. Secondly, the ITZ was modeled as a thin-wall annular plate located between a circular aggregate particle and a thick-wall cement paste annular plate. With the three-phase composite circle model, an analytical solution was derived for the chloride diffusion coefficient of concrete. Finally, the derived solution was verified by experimental results obtained from the research literature and a quantitative relationship between the thickness and chloride diffusion coefficient of ITZ was established.