Speakers
Description
In this study, a mesoscale model of Recycled Aggregate Concrete (RAC) is implemented using the Finite Element software ABAQUS. RAC is characterized by the partial or complete replacement of natural coarse aggregates with recycled aggregates obtained from crushed hardened concrete. Due to its composition, RAC exhibits a heterogeneous composite structure consisting of multiple phases: new cement paste, natural aggregates, and recycled aggregates partially or completely covered by a layer of old cement paste. In this approach each phase is modeled based on a different constitutive theory. A key objective of this work is to investigate the mechanical response of RAC, with particular focus on the degradation of the paste–aggregate interfaces. Numerical results from the mesoscale model are compared with those obtained using a macroscopic constitutive approach, the Performance Dependent Model (PDM), to evaluate the predictive capabilities and advantages of each modeling strategy.