Macroscopic diffusivity in concrete determined by computational homogenization

Effective moisture and chloride ion diffusivity coefficients for con-crete are determined by computational homogenization, where concrete is modelled on the mesoscale as a heterogenous three-phase compos-ite material. By imposing moisture and chloride ion gradients on a Representative Volume Element (RVE), effective macroscale properties are obtained through finite element analysis. A parametric study of the effects of the aggregate content was carried out. The numerical results correspond well with an estimate of the Hashin-Shtrikman type, available in the literature. The computational homogenization strategy proposed here also includes the Interfacial Transition Zone (ITZ), and its influence on the effective diffusivity coefficients is assessed. 1