Thermal Stress Simulation of Mass Concrete Using Thermal Stress Device

Abstract

To predict thermal stress independent of uncertain material properties of early age concrete, such as elastic modulus and creep, thermal stress device is used. In order to verify the application of various degree of constraint in the thermal stress device, a series of experiments were performed on mass concrete followed by numerical simulation. The application of various degrees of constraint can be achieved by using constraint frame material with different thermal expansion coefficient, length, and cross sectional area. Temperature development in the real structure has been simulated using temperature and humidity control chamber. The results from experiments and numerical analysis show that the thermal stresses estimated from simulation agree well with the general stress variations in the real structure even though the properties of concrete are uncertain.