Temperature Prediction Models in Mass Concrete State of the Art Literature Review

Abstract

This paper provides a “State of the Art” review on current research into the models that are used to predict temperature development in mass concrete structures. The principal parameters that considerably affect the performance of mass concrete structures are the maximum concrete temperature, maximum concrete temperature difference, time, and duration of the maximum temperature difference. Though a lot of estimation methods have attempted to either predict the maximum in place temperature or the temperature distribution, in order to control the occurrence of early age thermal cracks, there remains a need for a broader understanding of the response of concrete structures to different intrinsic and extrinsic conditions such structures could be subjected. The use of high fidelity models such as the finite element method to predict the temperature distribution with time, have been the current state of practice in mass concrete structures such as dams. The application of such methods requires relatively more computational effort, and therefore other estimation methods have been recommended for fairly practical use. In general a trade of must be made between the efficiency and accuracy of the method used versus the practicality of the chosen method.