Gianluca Mazzucco

Bio: Gianluca Mazzucco is an academic researcher from University of Padua. The author has contributed to research in topics: Finite element method & Thermal energy storage. The author has an hindex of 12, co-authored 36 publications receiving 375 citations.

Three‐dimensional modelling of bond behaviour between concrete and FRP reinforcement

Abstract: Purpose – The purpose of this paper is to investigate the bond behaviour between fiber reinforced polymer (FRP) sheets and concrete elements, starting from available experimental evidences, through a calibrated and upgraded 3D mathematical‐numerical modelDesign/methodology/approach – The complex mechanism of debonding/peeling failure of FRP reinforcement is studied within the context of damage mechanics to appropriately catch transversal effects and developing a more realistic and comprehensive study of the delamination process The FE ABAQUS© code has been supplemented with a numerical procedure accounting for Mazars's damage law inside the contact algorithmFindings – It has been shown that such an approach is able to catch the delamination evolution during loading processes as wellOriginality/value – A Drucker‐Prager constitutive law is adopted for concrete whereas FRP elements are assumed to behave in a linear‐elastic manner, possibly undertaking large strains/displacements Surface‐to‐surface conta

Elastoplastic-damaged meso-scale modelling of concrete with recycled aggregates

Abstract: The use of recycled concrete aggregates is very attractive from the point of view of reducing concrete production costs and of sustainability. A peculiar origin of such aggregates is that of demolitions of pre-existing concrete buildings. Scope of this work is to analyse the challenging aspects of recycled aggregates modelling in concrete mixtures and to define a procedure to cope with them. Particularly, numerical analyses dealing with the mechanical behaviour of concrete mixtures made of natural and recycled aggregates are here performed at the meso-scale level, distinguishing between concrete paste and aggregates themselves. Some compelling issues for the modelling phase are addressed, i.e.: i) the correct reproduction of recycled aggregates within the concrete samples, which involves both the acquisition of the external geometry of the aggregates and their random disposition in the sample, ii) the characterization of the mechanical constitutive law of the composite. An elastic-plastic-damaged formulation is adopted for representing the constitutive behaviour of mortar and cement matrix; the procedure is calibrated and validated so proving its predictability features when describing damage triggering and spreading within concrete samples subjected to compressive loads.

Pumped Thermal Electricity Storage: A technology overview

Abstract: A large penetration of variable intermittent renewable energy sources into the electric grid is stressing the need of installing large-scale Energy Storage units. Pumped Hydro Storage, Compressed Air Energy Storage and Flow Batteries are the commercially available large-scale energy storage technologies. However, these technologies suffer of geographical constrains (such as Pumped Hydro Storage and Compressed Air Energy Storage), require fossil fuel streams (like Compressed Air Energy Storage) or are characterised by low cycle life (Flow Batteries). For this reason, there is the need of developing new large-scale Energy Storage Technologies which do not suffer of the above-mentioned drawbacks. Among the in-developing large-scale Energy Storage Technologies, Pumped Thermal Electricity Storage or Pumped Heat Energy Storage is the most promising one due to its long cycle life, no geographical limitations, no need of fossil fuel streams and capability of being integrated into conventional fossil-fuelled power plants. Based on these evidences, in the present work, a literature survey on the Pumped Thermal Electricity Storage technology is presented with the aim of analysing its actual configurations and state of development.

Concrete Damage Plasticity Model for Modeling FRP-to-Concrete Bond Behavior

Abstract: The technique of externally bonding fiber-reinforced polymer (FRP) composites has become very popular worldwide for retrofitting existing reinforced concrete (RC) structures. Debonding of FRP from the concrete substrate is a typical failure mode in such strengthened structures. The bond behavior between FRP and concrete thus plays a crucial role in these structures. The FRP-to-concrete bond behavior has been extensively investigated experimentally, commonly using a single or double shear test of the FRP-to-concrete bonded joint. Comparatively, much less research has been concerned with numerical simulation, chiefly due to difficulties in the accurate modeling of the complex behavior of concrete. This paper presents a simple but robust finite-element (FE) model for simulating the bond behavior in the entire debonding process for the single shear test. A concrete damage plasticity model is proposed to capture the concrete-to-FRP bond behavior. Numerical results are in close agreement with test data,...

High temperature behaviour of hybrid steel–PVA fibre reinforced reactive powder concrete

Abstract: Reactive powder concrete (RPC) with dense microstructure are found to perform poorly at elevated temperatures due to a build-up of pore pressure that causes explosive spalling. This paper presents the results of an experimental investigation of the behaviour of six RPC mixes containing hybrid steel and polyvinyl alcohol (PVA) fibres, following exposure to high temperatures up to 700 °C. Residual compressive strength, static elastic modulus and ultrasonic pulse velocity measurements were carried out for all the RPC mixes. A mix containing hybrid steel–PVA fibre is proposed as suitable for high-temperature applications based on these results. Further tests were conducted for the mix at a hot state using a specially designed furnace–loading frame assembly. The hot-state elastic modulus, free thermal strains (FTS) and transitional thermal creep (TTC) were measured at the hot state. Residual compressive strength results for all the mixes indicated an initial increase in strength up to 300 °C, followed by a drastic drop. No apparent changes in elastic modulus and ultrasonic pulse measurements were observed till 300 °C, after which both dropped sharply. RPC containing only either steel fibres or only PVA fibres showed some form of instability, which was explosive in some cases. RPC with no fibres was also susceptible to explosive behaviour; however, the addition of hybrid fibres seemed to have beneficial effects. A mix containing equal volumes of steel and PVA fibres occupying a total fraction of 2 % by volume was found to give the best results. The FTS of that mix was similar to that of siliceous aggregate concretes, and the TTC was significant above 250 °C.