Experimental and Numerical Investigations of the Effect of Curing Conditions on the Temperature Rise of Concrete

Abstract

This paper presents experimental and numerical studies investigating the impact of three curing conditions on temperature evolution in concrete cubes. The tests were performed on samples of the same volume (3.375 dm3) under different curing conditions: room temperature, insulation boxes, and adiabatic calorimeter. Various cements (Portland cement, Portland composite cement, and blast furnace slag cement) and aggregates (gravel and basalt) were examined. The temperature evolution for all mixtures was analyzed, revealing a correlation between temperature increase and concrete type. Under insulation and adiabatic curing, Portland cement with gravel aggregate exhibited the highest temperature rise, while blast furnace slag cement with basalt aggregate showed the lowest increase. The incorporation of slag, ash, or other mineral additives reduced temperature rise. Additionally, basalt aggregate’s higher heat capacity and thermal energy accumulation led to a decreased temperature increase compared to gravel. Using recorded thermal data, a numerical procedure predicting temperature development in nonadiabatic conditions through direct adiabatic tests is proposed. Comparisons between experimental and numerical temperature evolutions confirmed the model’s accuracy.

Dispersion Stability and the Reaction Mechanism of Boron Nitride Nanosheets in a Cementitious Alkaline Environment: An Experimental and Computational Study

“…Concrete is the most established material in the construction industry due to its cost-effectiveness, availability of resources, and superior mechanical properties. − It is well known that its brittle nature and low tensile strength are major concerns that may limit its application in practical civil engineering. In recent decades, nanotechnology as an alternative has attracted the attention of researchers for improving the properties of cementitious composites.…”