Dehwah, O.
, Martys, N.
, Watson, S.
and Garboczi, E.
(2025),
Quasistatic Crack Propagation in Cement-Based-Materials Induced by to Pyrrhotite Oxidation, 1st RILEM YOUTH SYMPOSIUM RYS2025, [online], https://tsapps.nist.gov/publication/get_pdf.cfm?pub_id=960045, https://rys2025-rilem.sciencesconf.org/data/gallery/19/src/_648346_1.jpg (Accessed October 2, 2026)
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Quasistatic Crack Propagation in Cement-Based-Materials Induced by to Pyrrhotite Oxidation
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Abstract
The deterioration of concrete foundations due to pyrrhotite oxidation has been a significant issue in Connecticut and Massachusetts, prompting numerous studies to better understand its underlying mechanisms and chemical reactions. Controlling the iron sulfide content in aggregate is crucial to mitigating this issue, as remediation costs are substantial. Pyrrhotite oxidation is a slow process, and while a few thousands of homes in Connecticut have been confirmed to have pyrrhotite-induced damage, the Connecticut Department of Housing estimates that up to thousands homes may have been built with pyrrhotite-bearing aggregate and could be susceptible to future deterioration. To investigate the impact of pyrrhotite oxidation on concrete deterioration, a quasistatic 2D finite element analysis was employed to simulate crack network development in cement-based materials. While a two-dimensional model cannot fully capture three-dimensional reality, it provides valuable insights into how microstructural features influence crack growth and how internal expansion mechanisms contribute to crack network patterns, and the associated degradation of concrete's elastic properties, including Young's, bulk, and shear moduli. In addition, a semi-empirical model was developed to establish the relationship between mechanical properties and crack area, providing a useful tool for understanding the patterns of concrete cracking due to internal phase expansion.Citation
1st RILEM YOUTH SYMPOSIUM RYS2025
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Keywords
Concrete degradation, Crack nucleation and initiation, Crack Propagation, Pyrrhotite-oxidation
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Created October 28, 2025, Updated October 1, 2026