Minimisation of early age thermal cracking in a J-shaped non-reinforced massive concrete quay wall

For the realisation of a new harbour dock in Antwerp, a new type of non-reinforced massive concrete quay wall has been designed. This type has a so-called J-shape, with a total height of about 30 m, a maximum thickness of about 20 m, and has no reinforcement at all. As the concrete does not have to protect any reinforcing steel against corrosion, the traditional durability requirements can be less severe. The main technological problem, however, remains the effect of the heat of hydration during execution and hardening. To study this, a fundamental approach is followed, linking the evolutionary material behaviour with the ongoing hydration process. Finite element simulations are performed, yielding the evolving temperature fields and the resulting stresses and damage at any time during hardening. An optimisation of the construction method is obtained, incorporating several measures to reduce the effect of the heat of hydration.