THERMAL CRACK CONTROL IN CONCRETE

This report covers the monitoring of temperatures within mass concrete pours of minimum dimensions in excess of 0.5m to establish thermal differentials produced during the early stages of concrete curing. The influence of heat retention measures with insulation, and the application of surface coatings has been monitored. A total of fourteen concrete pours have been monitored with variables of mix design, insulation and surface coatings. By calculation with potential for early age thermal cracking existed for ten of these concrete pours. Protective measures by insulation were applied to four of these pours. For the concrete pours monitored it was not established that the insulation protection levels effected a reduction in thermal differentials. The surface applied curing coatings contributed to heat transfer by the reduction of evaporation of water from the concrete. As a positive contribution by the insulation has not been obtained it has not been possible from this work to provide site guidance. Recommendations are made for future work with higher levels of insulation, and with surface coatings.

• Corporate Authors:

  WIMTEC ENVIRONMENTAL LTD

  ST PETER'S HOUSE, 6-8 HIGH STREET
  IVER, BUCKINGHAMSHIRE  United Kingdom  SL0 9NG
• Authors:
  • SYKES, R A
• Publication Date: 1998

Language

• English

Media Info

• Pagination: 7 p.
• Serial:
  • Issue Number: EPB4935M

Subject/Index Terms

• TRT Terms: Coatings; Concrete; Cracking; Electric insulating materials; Insulating materials; Mix design; Temperature; Thermal analysis; Thickness
• ITRD Terms: 3612: Coating; 4755: Concrete; 5211: Cracking; 6914: Insulation; 4714: Mix design; 6722: Temperature; 7152: Thermal analysis; 5933: Thickness
• Subject Areas: Design; Materials;

Filing Info

• Accession Number: 00769951
• Record Type: Publication
• Source Agency: Transport Research Laboratory
• Files: ITRD
• Created Date: Oct 7 1999 12:00AM