Lattice Modelling of the Onset of Concrete-Ice Abrasion
The last decades the concrete-ice abrasion process has been well known as a concrete surface degradation mechanism due to ice sliding. The topic is especially relevant for concrete gravity based structures in the Arctic offshore. The article presents a numerical model in which the onset of wear in the concrete-ice abrasion process is simulated. The simulations are performed on meso-scale, which means that concrete is modelled as a three-phase material in which paste, aggregates and the interface transition zone are distinguished. Lattice modelling is adopted for the numerical modeling. Hertzian contact theory which predicts excessive tensile stresses on the concrete surface due to sliding of ice asperities is used as an analytical basis for the numerical model. It was concluded that such model is able to capture both surface and subsurface cracking in the concrete.