Cracking analysis of massive concrete walls with cracking control techniques

This paper presents the results of a study on the cracking behaviour of young reinforced concrete walls with cracking control techniques. Material property tests were conducted to identify the time-dependent mechanical properties of the young concrete. A 1:4 scaled young reinforced concrete wall was tested up to 165 days to identify the strain development of the concrete and reinforcing bars. A three-dimensional finite element model was developed and verified with consideration of concrete shrinkage, creep, cement hydration heat and variation of temperature. The model was used for cracking analysis of massive reinforced young concrete walls of a synchrotron radiation facility to identify the influence of concrete joints, construction sequence, concrete curing and external restraints. It was found that the concrete cracking can be mitigated by the proper use of concrete joints, a reasonable construction sequence, early age concrete curing and a loose external restraint.