Influence of Water Pipe Cooling on Thermal Stresses in Mass Concrete

Abstract

Temperature field and stress field of a concrete slab in a ship lock chamber are calculated, considering the influence of layered casting. And the influence of water pipe cooling at the early period of constructing, and at the period after constructing, sunshade, pre-cooled concrete etc are taken into account. The expression of finite difference method considering the effect of water pipe cooling is deducted for temperature analysis. Thermal stress calculation results show that the water pipe cooling at the mid-late period is a comparatively effective measure to reduce tensile stress of chamber mass concrete. And an effective temperature control measure is recommended in summer casting, which is that: sunshade + pre-cooled concrete + water pipe cooling (both at early period and at mid-late period). Mid-late period water pipe cooling must last for three months. Combined with other temperature control measures such as summer cover maintenance, winter cover preservation etc, the concrete cracks can be reduced, and the occurrence of large area run through cracks can be avoided.