Discrete Element Simulation of the Fresh State Steel Fiber Reinforced Self-compacting Concrete

Abstract

The distribution and orientation of fibers in Steel Fiber Reinforcement Self-Compacting Concrete (SFRSCC) are paramount given its influence in the mechanical properties of the material/structural elements. A two-way coupled model based on Discrete Element Method (DEM) to simulate the flow of clumps of particles with the high aspect ratio as fibers and two-phase particles as concrete is developed and introduced briefly in this paper. The framework is capable of modelling of the movement (translation and rotation) including the separation and contact detection of the particles. The interaction of the particles is treated as a dynamic process with a developing state of equilibrium whenever the internal forces are in balance. Newton’s laws of motion provide the fundamental relationship between particle motion and the forces causing that motion. Several experiments were conducted and analyzed by means of the inductive test method (a non-destructive method to assess steel fiber content and orientation). Orientation numbers coming from the inductive test method were compared with the simulation to verify the ability of the model to properly represent the flow of the fresh state SFRSCC. Through comparison with the experimental data, it is shown that the numerical model predicts the final distribution and orientation of the fibers sufficiently accurate and in a reasonable amount of time. The results obtained represent a step forward, showing that it is possible to apply advanced numerical tools for a preliminary assessment of the performance of SFRSCC, which might have positive implications through improved reliability of the design procedures.