Numerical Simulation of the Freezing Process of Concrete

Based on the equilibrium, continuity, and energy principles of multiphase porous media, a thermal-hydro-mechanical coupling model was developed for concrete upon freezing. To solve the governing differential equations, a three-dimensional finite-element analysis is performed based on the software program Comsol Multiphysics. Finally, temperature distributions, frozen water contents, and strains as a function of freezing time are predicted. A comparison of the analytical results with available experimental data for concrete mortars illustrates the validity of the proposed model. This numerical model can be used to assess the effect of cooling rate, the role of pore-size distribution, the role of permeability, the effect of cross section size and shape, the effect of superimposed stresses attributable to applied loads, and other factors that cannot easily be evaluated by current tests.