Study on the internal crack network of the ASR-affected concrete by the tomography-based numerical model

In this paper, we present a novel finite element model to simulate alkali-silica reaction in realistic concrete meso-structure. Application of the internal ASR loading leads evolution multiple deviated cracks and corresponding macroscopic expansion. A particular crack-extension algorithm solution scheme provide numerical stability allow complicated crack patterns while preserving physics. The predictive validity is demonstrated by matching an analytical loaded penny-shaped crack. applied experimental dataset comprising time-evolving X-ray tomograms ASR-affected concrete. Similar tomography data, results expanded sample with developed network. Two hypotheses on extension mechanisms are tested comparing statistics. Simulations varying number sites application uniaxial bring interesting insights. latter concerns role ASR-sites number, individual amplitude difference patterns.