News & Trends Thermal Stress convective heat transfer Analysis Manual for Midas/Gen Pipe Cooling Accumulated Temperature Thermal Conductivity Heat Source Concrete Structure Heat of Hydration Analysis

Heat of Hydration Analysis

Yeong-il SeoFebruary 7, 2022

OVERVIEW

In a certain concrete structure with considerable mass or where a construction progresses rapidly with a number of construction joints, the rate and amount of heat generation due to hydration are important. Non-uniform thermal expansion and contraction due to heat of hydration and cooling of concrete accompanied by changing constraints create undesirable stresses. The stresses may cause detrimental cracking in the concrete, thereby reducing its strength and durability.

 

Heat of hydration analysis thus becomes important when casting mass concrete structures. It enables us to predict and control temperature and stress distribution within a structure to avoid potential problems. Mass concrete structures requiring heat of hydration analysis depend on their dimensions, shapes, cement types and construction conditions.

 

In practice, hydration analyses are normally carried out for slabs or mats in excess of 800~1000mm in thickness and walls confined at bottom in excess of about 500mm. Surface cracking may develop initially due to the temperature difference between the surface and center. Through-cracks can also develop as a result of contraction restrained by external boundary conditions in the cooling process of high heat of hydration.

 

The heat of hydration analysis is largely classified into several sub-analyses. It entails temperature distribution analysis for conduction, convection, heat source, etc.; change in modulus of elasticity due to curing and maturity; and stress analysis for creep and shrinkage. The following outlines the various components affecting the analysis.


 

Contents

1. Heat Transfer Analysis

2. Thermal Stress Analysis

3. Procedure for Heat of Hydration Analysis