Multiscale estimation of the viscoelastic properties of cementitious materials at early age a combined analytical and numerical approach

Abstract : We propose an investigation combining numerical and analytical tools to estimate the ageing viscoelastic properties of cementitious materials within a multiscale framework. With analytical homogenization the properties at the cement paste and mortar scale are estimated by a combination of Generalized Self-Consistent (GSC) and Mori-Tanaka (MT) schemes. With numerical homogenization the effective properties at the concrete scale are estimated. Numerical homogenization has the advantage of allowing to assess local information as well as to study more complex geometries. This combined strategy constitutes a promising tool to investigate how different mechanisms leading to ageing at the hydrate products scale, as well as other features of cement-based materials such as the Interfacial Transition Zone (ITZ), affect the viscoelastic behavior at superior scales. In this context, we study the solidification of non-ageing constituents as the mechanisms leading to the ageing behavior. Relaxation and creep results at different scales are presented.