ABSTRACT
Abstract The usual methods for the control of early-age thermal cracking of massive concrete structures due to the heat of hydration are mainly based on practical experience. In many cases the only applied measure is the limitation of the temperature rise within the structure or the temperature differences within a pour. To verify the efficiency of specific curing methods already during the design phase, the constructional engineer needs a reliable analytical planning tool which is applied to practice. In the following a method for the calculations of temperature fields, stresses, strength and the probability of early-age thermal cracking in hardening concrete structures is presented. It allows to consider the aspects of concrete technology, construction and execution of the construction in order to enhance the quality and performance of the structure. Keywords: Crack Prediction, Heat of Hydration, Mass Concrete, Material Laws, Modelling of Thermal Stress, Numerical Simulation, Restraint, Temperature Fields, Thermal Stress Simulation.
