Numerical analysis of propagation of macrocracks in 3D concrete structures affected by ASR

In this study an implicit algorithm for modeling of propagation of macrocracks in 3D concrete structures suffering from alkali-silica reaction has been developed and implemented. The formulation of the problem prior to the onset of localized deformation is based on a chemo-elasticity approach. The localized deformation mode, involving the formation of macrocracks, is described using a simplified form of the strong discontinuity approach (SDA) that employs a volume averaging technique enhanced by a numerical procedure for tracing the propagation path in 3D space. The latter incorporates a non-local smoothening algorithm. The formulation is illustrated by a number of numerical examples that examine the crack propagation pattern in both plain and reinforced concrete under different loading scenarios.