Comparison of Analytical Methods for Estimation of Early-Age Thermal-Shrinkage Stresses in RC Walls

• Published in: Archives of Civil Engineering
• Main Authors: Klemczak, B., Knoppik-Wróbel, A.
• Format: Article in Journal/Newspaper
• Language: unknown
• Published: Walter de Gruyter GmbH 2013
• Subjects: Civil and Structural Engineering; Luleå
• Online Access: http://dx.doi.org/10.2478/ace-2013-0004; https://content.sciendo.com/view/journals/ace/59/1/article-p97.xml; https://content.sciendo.com/downloadpdf/journals/ace/59/1/article-p97.xml

Abstract The volume changes caused by coupled temperature and moisture variations in early-age concrete elements lead to formation of stresses. If a restraint exists along the contact surface of mature concrete against which a new concrete element has been cast, generated stresses are mostly of a restraint origin. In engineering practice a wide range of externally restrained concrete elements can be distinguished such as tank walls or bridge abutments cast against an old set foundation, in which early-age cracking may endanger their durability or functionality. Therefore, for years methods were being developed to predict early-age stresses and cracking risk of externally restrained concrete elements subjected to early-age thermal-moisture effects. The paper presents the comparative study of the most recognised analytical approaches: the method proposed in EC2, the method proposed by ACI Committee 207 and the method developed at the Luleå University of Technology.