2D framework for mesoscopic concrete simulations enriched with 3D topology information

A new 2D framework to simulate concrete at the mesoscopic level of observation is proposed. First, a 3D specimen with randomly generated ellipsoidal aggregates is created. Then a set of parallel cutting planes is defined. For each plane a 2D model with a mesostructure is extracted from the full 3D specimen. Topology of a chosen master plane is iteratively compared with the topology of all remaining planes. A similarity function is derived for all integration points in the FE mesh of the master plane to evaluate differences at the mesostructure between two cuts. Together with out-of-plane weighting function it is used to modify the original constitutive law at an integration point at the master plane in order to mimic 3D mesostructure. Two benchmarks are simulated: tension of a dog-bone specimen and a three-point bending test of a notched beam and the influence of selected parameters is analysed.