.
( & 2 ' (& '&1
Fig.1** Contour plots showing
temperature distribution across: tunnel
section (top), wall/slab intersection
(bottom-left) and tunnel wall with
embedded cooling pipe system
(bottom-right)
Fig.2** Examples of embedded
concrete pipe systems layouts for:
(a) tunnel segment, (b) slab,
(c) gallery wall (linear set-up),
(d) retaining wall (staggered set-up)
and (e) tunnel energy segments (TES)
& '& ( ' 2
'&
Human bones can withstand
compression at twice the load as
concrete (having the equivalent
weight in section). Bones also
have four times the tensile
strength of concrete. Bones can
be softened, then compressed in
moulds, or extruded to make
useful household items like
furniture. Just remember to keep
your dog inside.
(Construction Engineering Australia,
Aug 2015 p.25)
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, " *56
6 & , ' & 1 / " ., $& & 0*
A review paper on thermal behaviour of concrete by Dr I P Sfikas
(M899), who is a Chartered Engineer in Mott MacDonald Ltd., and co-
authored by his colleagues J Ingham and J Baber, was recently published
(ahead of print) in the Proceedings of the ICE: Construction Materials.
This paper reviews the use of finite-element analysis (FEA) in
engineering practice for evaluating thermal dynamics (and associated
stresses) in concrete structures, both for new design and forensic
engineering applications. Discussion in this paper is mainly based on the
project experience of the authoring team gained through the successful
use of thermal FEA software (Fig.1) in immersed tunnels, deep slabs in
buildings and basements, bridges, retaining walls and maritime concrete.
The paper describes the types of restraint in concrete structures and the
analysis process of crack control, with a focus on early age, and provides
a summary of modelling considerations on crack control and mitigation
techniques (concrete mix composition, fresh concrete temperature control
through cooling of fresh concrete or planning an efficient curing regime/
ambient temperature control, optimisation of pours and dimensions of
structural elements, curing measures, artificial cooling using concrete
cooling pipe systems, Fig.2) and on further applications (prevention of
delayed ettringite formation (DEF), in-service conditions, fire design,
geothermal applications, concrete slab curling, structural deformation,
concrete slab and overlay system application). The recent developments
and challenges associated with applying FEA to thermal modelling are
also discussed.
Apart from the theoretical background review, this paper also includes
the following practical information:
A list of commercial and free FEA software for thermal modelling of
concrete structures;
A list of input parameters for thermal modelling of the concrete
hardening process;
A list of major applications of FEA to thermal simulations of concrete
structures; and
An extensive list of projects from around the world that utilised
temperature and thermal stress analysis using FEA software during
tender and/or final design stage.
It is concluded that the 20-year history of successful application to date
clearly demonstrates the benefit of thermal simulation by the FEA
approach in improving concrete durability and sustainability. The authors
recommend a wider adoption of these techniques, backed by further
development through research and improved validation and
standardisation of the simulation modelling methods.
* Sfikas IP, Ingham J and Baber J. 2016 (ahead of print) Simulating thermal behaviour
of concrete by FEA: state-of-the-art review. Proceedings of the ICE: Construction
Materials. ICE Publishing. www.icevirtuallibrary.com/doi/abs/10.1680/jcoma.15.00052
** Figure from original article, shared with permission by ICE Publishing.