MASS CONCRETE By

Eng. Hussam Suhail Al-Ghamdi

Outlines
INTRODUCTION THERMAL CRACKS Internal restraint External restraint FACTORS EFFECTING TEMPERATURE RISE OF MASS CONCRETE THERMAL CRACKING AVOIDANCE Types of cement and Pozzolans used in large volume concrete APPLICATION REFERENCES

Introduction
MASS CONCRETE :
Concrete cast in massive sections requires special consideration be given to handling the heat of hydration and the temperature rise after casting.

Continuo
mass concrete to be any element with a minimum dimension equal to or greater than 1m (3 ft) . Similar considerations should be given to other concrete elements that do not meet this definition but contain Type III cement or cementitious materials in excess of 335 kg/m3 (564 lb/yd3) of concrete .

Thermal cracking
Type of cracking Subdivision Most common location Primary cause (excluding restraint) Secondary cause / factors Remedy (assuming basic redesign is impossible); in all cases reduce restraint Time of appearance

External restraint Early thermal contraction Internal restraint

Thick wall

Excess heat generation

Rapid cooling

Reduce heat and / or insulate

One day to two or three weeks

Thick slab

Excess temperature gradients

Thermal cracking ( continuo )

INTERNAL RESTRAINT :
arises from the fact that, when the surface of concrete can lose heat to the atmosphere, there develops a temperature differential between the cool exterior and the hot core of the concrete element, the heat not being dissipated to the outside fast enough in consequences of the low thermal diffusivity of the concrete. As a result, the free thermal expansion is unequal in the various parts of the concrete element. Restraint of the free expansion results in stresses compressive in one part of the element and tensile in the other .

Thermal cracking ( continuo )

EXTERNAL RESTRAINT :
When the entire concrete mass is insulated from the outside air or earth, so that the temperature is uniform throughout, cracking will occur only if the total mass is wholly or partly externally restrained from contracting during the period .

Thermal cracking ( continuo )

THERMAL CRACKS ARE DEVELOPED BY TWO WAYS:

From the dissipation of the heat of cement hydration.

From periodic cycles of ambient temperature .

Factors effecting temperature rise of mass concrete

TEMPERATURE RISE DEPENDS ON A NUMBER OF FACTORS :

Cement type or ( type of cementitious materials ) . Quantity of cement or ( quantity of cementitious materials ) .
(Temperature for concrete = initial temperature + 10 C/100 Kg of cement )

Section size . The insulating characteristics of the formwork . Placing of concrete and ambient temperatures .

Thermal cracking avoidance

THERMAL CRACKING CAN BE AVOIDED BY USING SEVERAL METHODS, INCLUDING :
Changing concrete mix proportions . Example ( low cement content ) . Protecting the exposed surfaces and formwork from environmental extremes . Using aggregate with more desirable thermal properties , change aggregate size (75-150) mm . ( use in dams only ) Pre cooling the concrete constituent materials .

Thermal cracking avoidance ( continuo )

Placing concrete in several lifts or pours . Cooling the concrete itself via internal cooling pipes . Use low heat of hydration of cement . Example ( use type IV Portland cement ) Use of Pozzolans . The temperature difference should not exceed about 20 C to avoid cracking.

Types of cement and Pozzolans used in large volume concrete

TYPES OF CEMENT USED IN LARGE VOLUME CONCRETE

Type IV
Type IV Portland cement is used where the rate and amount of heat generated from hydration must be minimized . It develops strength at a slower rate than other cement types . Type IV cement is intended for use in massive concrete structures, such as large gravity dams, where the temperature rise resulting from heat generated during hardening must be minimized .

Types of cement and Pozzolans used in large volume concrete ( continuo )

Type V , or Type I If use type V or Type I Portland cements in mass concrete if type IV not available . But we should be add Pozzolans such as (slag , fly ash) .

Because low C3A contents

Fig. Effect of a slag on heat of hydration at 20 C (68 F) compared to a type I cement .

Application
Dams

. Large walls and slabs . Large foundation . example ( mat foundations ) Large columns ( larger 1m )

References

Properties of concrete ; by ( A. M. Neville ) . Concrete technology ; by ( A. M. Neville & J. J. Brooks ) . Design and Control of Concrete Mixture . ACI MANUAL OF CONCRETE PRACTICE . Internet .

THE END