Numerical modeling of drying shrinkage deformation of cement-based composites by coupling multiscale structure model with 3D lattice analyses

This paper presents a multiscale model for the drying shrinkage deformation of cement-based composites by incorporating its corresponding multiscale computer-generated structure at different scales in a three-dimensional lattice model. Assuming effects of capillary tension and disjoining pressure are the reason for the drying deformation, water desorption in capillary pores within 100%-to-85% RH range and that in gel pores within 85%-to-50% RH range are investigated. Drying behaviors of C-S-H gels, cement paste and mortar are studied by gradual upscaling. Experimental results for cement paste and mortar are utilized for validation. Parameter-determination and parameter-passing associated with the multiscale model are discussed.