MACROSCOPIC MODEL OF CONCRETE SUBJECTED TO ALKALI-AGGREGATE REACTION

Abstract The structural behaviour of concrete affected by alkali–aggregate reaction (AAR) is difficult to model due to the amount of random parameters that govern this chemical process. The aim of this work is to present a macroscopic approach whose main features are the consideration of uncoupling between AAR and stress and the representation of the anisotropic characteristic of chemical swelling. Experimental results concerning reactive concrete samples were simulated to verify whether the model was capable of describing the behaviour of affected structures under certain loading and boundary conditions. Loading–unloading response was also considered to simulate the effect of joints opening, which is a commonly used technique for releasing AAR generated stresses in affected structural elements. The obtained results were compared to test data and showed good agreement.