Numerical implementation of temperature and creep in mass concrete

Abstract

Mass concrete generates internal heat during the hydration period that occurs soon after casting. Added to these internal heat changes are the environmental conditions that the structure is subjected to during its design life. These thermal changes in the material affect the elastic and creep properties of the material, and in turn, the stress fields within the structure. The numerical implementation of these factors is illustrated in a three-dimensional finite element program that simulates the construction process of mass. The mathematical formulation, the numerical implementation and other implementation details are presented herein. The temperature and stress variation of a concrete block was analyzed and results show that temperature plays an important role in concrete structures.