Estimation of cracking risk of concrete at early age based on thermal stress analysis

• Published in: Journal of thermal analysis and calorimetry 2011-07, Vol.105 (1), p.171-186
• Main Authors: Wu, Shengxing, Huang, Donghui, Lin, Feng-Bao, Zhao, Haitao, Wang, Panxiu
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Age; Analytical Chemistry; Applied sciences; Buildings. Public works; Chemistry; Chemistry and Materials Science; Comparative analysis; Computer simulation; Concretes; Concretes. Mortars. Grouts; Exact sciences and technology; Finite element method; Fracture mechanics; General (composition, classification, performance, standards, patents, etc.); Hydration; Inorganic Chemistry; Materials; Measurement Science and Instrumentation; Mechanical properties; Physical Chemistry; Polymer Sciences; Risk; Shrinkage; Thermal properties; Thermal stresses
• ISSN: 1388-6150; 1588-2926; 1572-8943
• DOI: 10.1007/s10973-011-1512-y

The purpose of this study is to simulate the early age concrete behaviors and evaluate the cracking risk with the thermal and thermal stress analysis. A new finite element method program associated with ANSYS program is developed for the computation of thermal field and thermal stress field for early age concrete considering the following characters: degree of hydration, thermal properties (such as specific heat, thermal diffusivity), thermal boundary conditions, and mechanical properties (such as shrinkage, creep) which occur at early age. The results from simulation compared with experimental values found in the literature show a good agreement. Finally, based on this user-developed subroutine, the effects of hydration heat, ambient temperature, wind velocity, shrinkage, and length-height ratio on cracking risk were analyzed for a concrete wall which is one part of the structure of Maridal culvert in Norway. By which, the measures to control the cracking were provided for the engineering application.