A discrete micromechanical model for predicting HSC compressive strength based on a yield design approach

This paper presents a discrete micromechanical model for predicting high strength concrete compressive strength. A numerical model is proposed based on a Voronoï tessellation which represents concrete as a set of aggregates interacting within a cement matrix. A static yield design approach is conducted at the mesoscopic scale to determine the maximum bearable compressive stress. Then, an analytical model is derived based on the numerical results. The geometric and mechanical effects are decoupled enabling a micromechanical explanation of the maximum paste thickness and the aggregates' size distribution effects on concrete compressive strength. Finally, the analytical model is calibrated and validated on experimental results taken from literature.