The research project INTEGRACRETE was started
A comprehensive multi-physics and multi-scale approach to the combined effects of applied loads and thermal/shrinkage deformations in reinforced concrete structures
The most challenging point in the prediction of service life behaviour is the adequate description of the intricate interactions that take place between self-imposed deformations (thermal and shrinkage related), viscoelasticity and the effects of applied loads in the process of crack development. These interactions are not taken into account by current regulations, and there are no integrative scientific research studies that take a systematic approach to this issue, leaving many questions unanswered.
The main purpose of this research project is precisely to close the research gap identified above through a comprehensive program that incorporates extensive experimental characterization, real-scale testing with monitoring of relevant data and their corresponding simulation with multi-scale and multi-physics approaches. The central innovation of this research project is the pioneering capacity of the team to integrate knowledge and research experience in both the experimental and numerical simulation fields, paving the way to an unprecedented set of integrative innovations ranging from the microstructural characterization and modelling to the real-scale testing, modelling and validation.
