Modeling of Temperature Gradient Effect on Stress Distribution During Concrete Hydration
The paper presents the results of the finite element modeling (FEM) and analysis of thermal Mises stress distribution in a concrete rod depending on the temperature gradient at a stage of Portland cement hardening. The FEM is represented by a rectangular rod 10´10´45 cm size, the side walls of which are insulated with expanded polystyrene 2 cm thick. One end face of the rod is cooled to T = 273 K, while its opposite end face is heated to various temperatures, namely: 273, 280, 290, 320, 360 and 380 K. The computations are carried out using COMSOL Multi-Physics software system. The analysis shows that the difference in thermal stresses during the hardening of different concrete areas achieves the value that increases with the gradient increase of the external temperature field.