Using Advanced "Birth and Death" APDL Code to Analyze the Thermal Transient Problem of Mass Concrete during Construction Phases

For finite element analysis of the thermal transfer problem, solving the Boundary Condition (BC) change versus time appropriately, according to the concrete construction phases, is an important factor affecting the accuracy of the analysis result. The contact BC may change versus time from the convective boundary to the contact boundary between two bodies. In this paper, a technique using the "Birth and Death" element is applied to the heat transfer boundary of a mass concrete pier versus the time of construction phases. From the obtained results, it was concluded that the temperature distribution in the pier body can be determined according to the phases of construction. The achieved temperature field gives an input to the stress analysis allowing the determination of the possibility of thermal cracking of the structure and give appropriate alternatives to prevent thermal cracks. © by the authors.