Modelo Termo-Mecánico para el Análisis de Estructuras de Hormigón a Edades Tempranas

Abstract

A numerical model is presented to study the behavior of concrete at early ages. The cement hydration, temperature variation, evolution of the mechanical properties and the material response induced by thermal stresses are analyzed. A macroscopic constitutive model for the concrete behavior based on the degree of hydration is proposed. The differential governing equations are spatial and temporally discretized through de finite element method and finite difference method, respectively, considering initial and boundary conditions that allow a realistic analysis of the concrete placement. The research focuses on the developing of a computational tool that should be able to model the phenomenon in two and three dimensions, in order to optimize the design and construction of massive concrete structures, where cracking potential is high. The results are verified through laboratory and field tests.