Numerical modelling via a coupled discrete approach of the autogenous healing for Fibre-Reinforced Cementitious Composites (FRCCs)

Aiming to predict long-term performance of advanced cement-based materials and design more durable structures, a reliable modelling of the autogenous healing of cementitious materials is crucial. A dis-crete model for the regain in terms of water tightness, stiffness and strength induced by the autogenous and/or “stimulate" autogenous healing was recently proposed for ordinary plain concrete. The modelling proposal stemmed from the coupling of two models, namely the Hygro-Thermo-Chemical (HTC) model, on one side,and the Lattice Discrete Particle Model (LDPM), on the other side, resulting in the Multiphysics-Lattice Discrete Particle Model (M-LDPM). Being this approach not customised only for ordinary concrete, but for the whole broad category of cementitious materials, in this paper, its application to Fibre-Reinforced Cementitious Composites is presented. To accurately simulate what has been experimentally observed so far, the mechanical model is updated to also include the self-healing of the tunnel cracks at the fibre-matrix interfaces. Therefore,the self-repairing process is modelled to develop on two independent stages: (a) matrix cracks healing, and(b) fibre bridging action restoring. This research activity is part of the modelling tasks framed into the project ReSHEALience, funded from the European Union’s Horizon 2020 Research and Innovation Programme.