"Coupled multiscale modelling and experimental validation of discrete damage processes and fluida transport in building materials and civil engineering structures."

Id:KUL_3E040806

K.U.Leuven

Degradation of porous materials usually does not have a single identifiable cause, but results from the complex interaction between different types of degradation mechanisms. In the study at hand, both experimental and numerical methods are employed to gain insight herein.A novel continuous-discontinuous concept to model physical degradation of porous materials is put forward. It enforces a gradual transition between the continuous state before fracture occurs and the discontinuous state afterwards. The formulation covers both diffuse damage processes inthe bulk material as well as the initiation and propagation of discretecracks. Furthermore it describes in a generic way the impact of the development of a fracture on the transport of mass and energy in the porousmaterial.Strategies to solve the resulting model equations in an optimal and accurate way are developed as well. Hereby, the advantages of a staggered solution scheme were exploited to respond dynamically to the specific needs

Timeframe:

1 Jan 2004 → 10 Jun 2009

Keywords:

Rectal cancer Validation Psychology digestion enzyme inhibitor insect peptide pest control protease Damage Building materials

Discipline codes:

• TECHNOLOGICAL SCIENCES (T)
  • Construction technology

Classifications:

• Ph. D.