Thermal & Experimental Modelling of Mass Concrete (Granite Aggregate)

This research is focusing on the review of mass concrete (MC) specification with specific reference to the evaluation of 20MPa temperature control concrete requirements for the construction of MC hydro-dam projects implemented in Malaysia. The experimental hot-box and coefficient of thermal expansion (CTE) tests were conducted to ascertain the adiabatic temperature rise and thermal strain development on MC using granite aggregate and the finite element (FE) heat of hydration simulations which served as the basis for this Master¿s thesis. A three-pronged approach consisted of laboratory hot-box and CTE tests, thermal modelling using CIRIA C660 thermal model and the FE heat of hydration analysis were carried out to determine the concrete peak temperature, maximum placing temperature, early-ages adiabatic temperature rise and its adiabatic hydration curve, and maximum core-surface temperature differentials on 20MPa MC using CEMII/B-V cement under semi-adiabatic conditions. A thermal analysis using LUSAS Modeller (Ver.15.2) and MIDAS FEA (Heat of Hydration Ver.2016) were carried out to simulate the heat of hydration of hot-box whereby the results have yielded good agreement.