Kombinierte experimentelle und numerische Studie zur schwindinduzierten Rissbildung zementgebundener Werkstoffe / Combined Experimental and Numerical Study to assess Shrinkage Cracking of Cement-Based Materials

In this contribution, a combined experimental and numerical study to assess the cracking resistance of cement-based materials subjected to desiccation is outlined. Experimentally, the tendency to hygral cracking is determined by means of mortar ring specimens exposed to drying atmosphere. A numerical model based on the nonlinear theory of diffusion and nonlinear fracture mechanics is developed. The relevant hygral and mechanical parameters and laws needed for the model have been determined by means of adequate experiments analyzed by inverse analyses. The hygro-mechanical behaviour of two different types of mortar is studied. Numerical results have been compared to experimental findings. Furthermore, a parametric study has been carried out with the aim to characterize the relevant material parameters influencing shrinkage cracking. It can be concluded that a combination of experimental and numerical methods can play a decisive role in optimizing mortars or concretes with respect to predefined and required material properties. In this way, the durability of concrete structures can be significantly enhanced.