A Numerical Model for the Thermomechanical Conditions During Hydration of Early-age Concrete

In the present study, a macroscopic numerical model for the thermomechanical conditions during hydration of early-age concrete is presented. The formulation is based on a semi-coupled, incremental thermomechanical model where the heat production from the hydration process is expressed in terms of the maturity and the thermal activation is expressed by the Arrhenius principle. The material properties are assumed to depend on the hydration process via the maturity. The discretization of the governing equations is accomplished by a control volume formulation involving a time-splitting scheme for the heat conduction equation. Non-linear phenomena such as sequential casting, maturity dependent material properties, creep and non-linear thermal boundary conditions are all taken into account. Different rheological models describing the viscoelastic behaviour have been implemented. Validations of the model against analytical solutions are carried out as well as examples of analysis of real concrete structures. (C) 2002 Elsevier Science Inc. All rights reserved.