Micromechanical modeling of mortar as a matrix‐inclusion composite with drying effects

SUMMARY A micromechanical analysis is presented for the description of elastic and plastic behavior of a cement‐based material (mortar). The mortar is considered as a composite material constituted with cement paste and sand grain. The mechanical behavior of cement paste is described by an elastoplastic model, while a linear elastic behavior is adopted for sand grains. A non‐linear homogenization approach based on Hill's incremental model is proposed for the determination of macroscopic properties of mortar composite. Further, influences of water saturation degree on mechanical behavior are taken into account by considering capillary effects on plastic deformation of cement paste. Comparisons between numerical simulations and experimental data are presented. Highlights: We propose a homogenization method for non‐linear cement‐based materials. We take into account local properties of constituent phases of composite. The effects of drying process on effective behavior are considered. Numerical simulations agree well with experimental data.