Modeling of Stress Distribution During Portland Cement Curing in Temperature Gradient Conditions

Abstract

The paper presents the two-dimensional model of Portland cement curing based on the finite element method. The cement curing lasts for 2 days in the temperature gradient conditions ranging from 65 to −20 °C. A cement rod 7×70 cm in size was used for modeling the von Mises stress distribution. It is shown that in the temperature gradient conditions, the stress maximum in curing Portland cement shifts toward the hot edge of the cement rod and exceeds the minimum stress level more than two times. The stress growth at the interfaces between the concrete timber and the cement rod exceeds the stress maximum inside the latter. This stress distribution is connected with the heat flow generation and superposition of direct and reverse heat flows. Superposition of the negative heat flows generates the stresses at the interfaces, which are higher than those generated by the positive heat flows. The concrete timber and the interface fixation are the additional factors that increase the stress level at the interfaces and promote the cement fracture.