Project 12

Title:

Multiscale modelling

State of the Art : Currently existing techniques, on multiscale modelling, are limited to the elastic behaviour, and even for this restricted range the relation between the microstructure and the properties has not been clearly established.
Objective and Innovation : This project will exploit the simulation methods developed at CTU and apply them to evaluation of the mechanical properties of cement paste, in close collaboration with the EPFL team. The goal is to extend the description to time-dependent and inelastic phenomena such as creep, cracking and plastic deformation, and to study the indentation size effect. The CTU team will also provide possibilities to carry out nanoindentation measurements to determine the local viscoelastic properties as a part of Project 6, with input to the present project as well as projects 9, 10, 11 and 14. Oxand will make available a homogenisation model, which allows the evolution of early age mechanical properties to be described. This will be tested on the experimental database generated and compared with the numerical approaches.