Resonant bar simulations in media with localized damage

As a rule, problems of wave propagation in finite media with non-uniform spatial distribution of material properties can only be tackled by numerical models. In addition, the modeling of damage features in a material requires the introduction of locally non-linear and--more important--non-unique equations of state. Using a multiscale approach, we have implemented a non-linear hysteretic stress-strain relation based on the Preisach-Mayergoyz (PM) model, into a numerical elastodynamic finite integration technique program, which has originally been developed for linearly elastic wave propagation in inhomogeneous media. The simulation results show qualitatively good agreement with data of non-linear resonant bar experiments in homogeneously non-linear and hysteretic media. When the PM density distribution of hysteretic units at the mesoscopic level is not uniform and/or confined to a finite area in stress-stress space, the response at high amplitude excitation tend to deviate from the quasi-analytical results obtained in the case of a uniform PM-space density. Localized microdamage features in an intact medium can be modeled by conceiving finite zones with pronounced hysteretic stress-strain relations within a "linear" surrounding. Forward calculations reveal a significant influence of the amplitude dependent resonance behavior on the location (edge versus center of a bar), the extend (width of the zone) and the degree (density of hysteretic units) of damage.     

Investigation of Water Uptake in Porous Asphalt Concrete Using Neutron Radiography

Porous asphalt (PA), a highly porous hydrophobic composite material, is subjected to water uptake and the process is documented with neutron radiography (NR). While the un-aged laboratory-prepared PA specimens do not show any water uptake, we observe uptake in aged PA even though the bitumen binder is a hydrophobic material. The moisture content distribution plots derived from the NR images clearly identify regions in the aged specimens where water uptake is active. Two-dimensional degree of saturation (DoS) distribution images, which are obtained by combining micro-computer tomography and NR images, identify those pores where saturated flow is certainly active. However, to clearly distinguish between saturated and unsaturated flows in the remaining wet pores, the DoS distribution images are read together with the three-dimensional PA microstructure obtained by micro-CT. It is observed that uptake begins mainly as unsaturated film/corner flow at large well-defined pores. As this uptaken water travels further into the material, the flow transforms into a combination of saturated flow and unsaturated film/corner flow. Saturated flow is seen to be mostly active in the small pores within the mastic. From the observed succession of unsaturated and saturated flows in an aged PA specimen, it can be concluded that years of environmental and mechanical loading has resulted in the stripping of binder from the aggregate surfaces and has consequently exposed patches of hydrophilic aggregate to water, which enables the capillary uptake of water. We also simulate an absolute permeability experiment and observe that relatively less tortuous and more connected paths play an important role in determining the preferential path of the uptaken water.     

A Network Modeling Approach to Derive Unsaturated Hydraulic Properties of a Rough-Walled Fracture

The hydraulic properties of a rough-walled fracture in a limestone sample are estimated using a network model based on three-dimensional representations of the fracture apertures. Two different scenarios are considered: drainage of water out of a fracture and infiltration of water into a fracture. Besides capillary effects, the model takes into account an accessibility criterion (invasion percolation) and, in the case of infiltration, the rate dependence of the water movement. A hysteresis effect between drainage and imbibition hydraulic properties can be observed, which increases with increasing capillary number. The measured permeability is overestimated by 15% by the network model. In a sensitivity analysis the influence of the main fracture field characteristics (field size and fracture segment size in relation to correlation length) on the calculated hydraulic properties is investigated. Field size has an important influence on the inverse of the water/air entry value for imbibition, making it difficult to scale this parameter to other field sizes. A parameter analysis investigating the influence of the main fracture characteristics (mean fracture aperture, roughness, and correlation length) on the hydraulic properties shows that the mean fracture aperture is the most important fracture parameter influencing both strongly the saturated permeability K and . The effect of varying the variance and the correlation length on K and is much less than the influence of the mean fracture aperture. The effective permeability of the fracture is also calculated by the geometric mean K _g . Up to (log_e(K)) = 1, the discrepancy between K _g and K _n (network model result) is less than 15%. At larger correlation lengths (for a constant (log_e(K))), the discrepancy between K _g and K _n increases.     

An Improved Pore Network Model for the Computation of the Saturated Permeability of Porous Rock

A model to estimate the permeability of a porous sample based on a 3D image of its pore space, obtained by X-ray computed tomography (CT) and applying a threshold algorithm on the CT image, is developed. Computational fluid dynamics (CFD) can be used to directly compute the saturated fluid flow in a sample. This is called the direct method. The direct method is relatively accurate, but computationally very expensive. Therefore, a new pore network approach is presented. Pore networks simplify the pore space to a network of nodes that are hydraulically connected by links. A finite difference CFD method is then applied to simulate the fluid flow inside the links and to compute the local permeability values of the links in the network according to Darcy’s law. As these links are relatively small, this demands less computational resources than a CFD simulation on the whole sample. Once the local permeabilities in the network are known, the permeability of the entire network can be calculated.     

Saline Water Evaporation and Crystallization-Induced Deformations in Building Stone: Insights from High-Resolution Neutron Radiography

Transport in Porous Media - To assess salt damage risks in building materials and geomaterials, the key components to identify are the accumulation of salts and the damage propagation. Experimental...     

Moisture adsorption of glucomannan and xylan hemicelluloses

Wood and wood materials are highly sensitive to moisture in the environment. To a large extent this relates to the hygroscopicity of wood hemicelluloses. In order to increase our understanding of the effects of moisture sorption of the major wood hemicelluloses, glucomannan and xylan, model experiments using films of amorphous konjak glucomannan and rye arabinoxylan were conducted. Moisture-induced expansion and stiffness softening were characterized using dynamic mechanical testing. Both hemicelluloses showed a threshold around 5 % of moisture content above which swelling increased whereas the modulus decreased by more than 70 %. FTIR spectra, using H₂O and D₂O, indicated that even at high RH about 15 % of the hydroxyl groups were not accessible to hydrogen exchange by D₂O. For xylan both hydroxyl groups were found to exchange in the same manner while for the glucomannan the O(6)H group seemed to be the most accessible.     

LBM Simulation of Self-Assembly of Clogging Structures by Evaporation of Colloidal Suspension in 2D Porous Media

Transport in Porous Media - Evaporation of colloidal suspension in two-dimensional (2D) porous media leads to the formation of self-assembled clogging structures (SCS). The self-assembly pattern is...