The temperature nomogram to predict the maximum temperature in mass concrete

At an early age, the problem of cracking in concrete structures in general and large block structures in particular often appears. Many factors affect the formation of cracks in mass concrete structures. One of the factors considered is thermal cracking. Temperature is the most important factor to consider while constructing mass concrete. The temperature is affected by cement hydration and other factors, which leads to the production of thermal cracks at an early age. Tensile stresses that are greater than the concrete’s tensile strength are typically the cause of cracking in mass concrete. These tensile stresses are more frequently caused by constraints against volumetric change, though they can also result from loads placed on the structure. Therefore, the prediction of temperature fields in massive concrete structures has been a significant challenge. This study presents a temperature nomogram by using numerical methods to quickly determine the maximum temperature in concrete structures with various characteristics, such as cement content and the initial temperature of concrete mixtures. The research results are meaningful for construction management agencies to use temperature diagrams to predict the maximum temperature in large concrete structures without the need to model the mass concrete. Besides, a nomogram can be used to predict the maximum temperature in mass concrete structures in order to prevent thermal cracks during construction and thereafter. © Nguyen, T.C., Bui, A.K., 2024.