An analytical method for prediction of the elastic modulus of concrete

Zhou, X.Z., Zheng, J.J. and Li, Chun-Qing (2006) An analytical method for prediction of the elastic modulus of concrete. Magazine of Concrete Research, 58 (10). pp. 665-673. ISSN 0024-9831

Abstract

Experimental and theoretical research has shown that in predicting its elastic modulus, concrete should be modelled
as a three-phase material at a mesoscopic level and the proportions, mechanical properties and interaction of these
three-phase constituents should all be considered in the prediction. The current paper attempts to develop an
analytical method for prediction of the elastic modulus of concrete. A three-phase composite circle model for the
concrete matrix is proposed to represent the heterogeneous nature of concrete. Based on the classic theory of
elasticity, a closed-form solution to the plane strain bulk modulus of concrete is derived. After verifying the
developed method with both experimental and numerical results, the effects of the aggregate area fraction, the
elastic modulus of aggregate, the elastic modulus of interfacial transition zone (ITZ), the maximum aggregate
diameter, the maximum cement diameter and the aggregate gradation on the elastic modulus of concrete are
examined in a quantitative manner. It is found that the elastic modulus of concrete increases with the increase of
the aggregate area fraction, the elastic modulus of aggregate, the elastic modulus of ITZ and the maximum
aggregate diameter, but decreases with the increase of the maximum cement diameter. It is also found that the
aggregate gradation affects the elastic modulus of concrete to a certain extent. The paper concludes that the
analytical solution derived herein can predict the elastic modulus of concrete with reasonable accuracy

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