Discrete element modelling of mechanical behaviour of pervious concrete

This study proposes an alternative numerical strategy that combines different DEM models to simulate the compaction process and predict the mechanical performance of pervious concrete. An experimental program was performed to assess the compressive and tensile behaviours of pervious concrete mixes with 3 aggregate-to-paste content subjected to 3° of compaction. A novel constitutive law was proposed to simulate the particle-particle mechanical interaction at a meso-structural level. Results show that this simulation strategy is capable of predicting the experimental compressive and tensile performances while capturing the fracture pattern observed in the experimental program. This opens up the possibility of performing a numerical parametric design of mix composition and production processes before undertaking experimental verifications, which might reduce the number of tests needed to achieve the composition that better suits the mechanical requirements of each application.