THERMAL-PROPERTIES AND TRANSIENT THERMAL-ANALYSIS OF STRUCTURAL MEMBERS DURING HYDRATION

This paper presents an experimental study on the thermal properties of concretes with different strengths at very early ages (i.e., during h ydration). The heat of hydration, thermal conductivity specific heat, and coefficient of thermal expansion were investigated for 30, 70, and 100 MPa concretes. Sub-routines were developed for a finite element t hermal analysis program ''DETECT'' to predict the variation of tempera tures during hydration as a function of maturity based on Arrhenius' a pproach. An experimental study was performed to observe the effects of different curing conditions and early form stripping on the temperatu re development in structural concrete members. Comparisons are made be tween the measured and predicted temperatures in slabs and large concr ete columns.