TEMPERATURE FIELD OF CONCRETE IN WINTER CONSTRUCTION: FINITE ELEMENT MODELING AND PARAMETRIC STUDY

In winter construction, it is of crucial importance to predict the temperature field of concrete, to avoid frost damage, control the temperature gradient, and ensure the construction quality of concrete. In this study, a modified finite element model (FEM) considering the characteristics of winter construction was proposed to predict the temperature field of concrete. The freezing process of free water and the heat release of hydration varied with concrete temperature was involved in this model. Then, the temperature histories of two types of concrete placed at different subzero temperatures were monitored experimentally and simulated by using the modified FEM. Good agreement of these results confirms the validity and reliability of this model. Finally, some numerical experiments were performed to explore the effects of engineering parameters on the temperature field of early age concrete by using the validated finite element model. The results show the law of influence of concrete placing temperature and geometry, ambient temperature, and the thickness and thermal conductivity of insulation material on the concrete temperature field.