Short-Term Scientific Mission (STSM) at EPFL
STSM Topic: Characterization of cement-based materials: experimental analysis and micro-mechanics modeling
Host: Cyrille Dunant, École polytechnique fédérale de Lausanne, Lausanne (CH)
Period: 01.02.2015 to 30.04.2015
Work Plan Summary:
The long-term structural performance and durability of cement-based structural elements is strongly influenced by curing conditions and early age events (thermal cracking, scaffolding removal, loadings). Hence, the capacity of characterizing and/or simulation the evolution of mechanical properties, such as E-modulus, since casting assumes crucial importance. This mission aims to create a bridge between the experimental and numerical research, through the implementation of a new experimental method, the EMM-ARM, capable of estimate the E-Modulus of a cement paste since mixing. During this mission the applicant pretends to: implement the EMM-ARM method at the Laboratoire de Matériaux de Construction at École polytechnique fédérale de Lausanne; perform a comprehensive experimental program to characterize the physical properties of several cement pastes in order to compare the results obtained by several experimental methodologies, including the EMM-ARM. With the results obtained it will be possible to perform an additional validation and to disseminate the EMM-ARM methodology; and simulate de E-Modulus of the same cement pastes studied in the previous point and compare the results with the experimental data obtained in order to eventually validate and/or highlight the strengths and the limitations of the model used.
