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: English
• Published: Polish Academy of Sciences 2013
• Subjects: RC wall; thermal-shrinkage stresses; degree of restraint; analytical models; Engineering (General). Civil engineering (General); TA1-2040; Luleå
• Online Access: https://doi.org/10.2478/ace-2013-0004; https://doaj.org/article/105bf423a5644f798fe920ce532871ae

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.