Digitalization of the Concreting Process to avoid Temperature Cracks

Purpose and goal

The purpose of the project was to develop an innovative method for reliable determination of early of early crack risk in concrete structures, based on the knowledge transfer between the Swedish and German partners. The goal was for new concrete compositions (green concrete) with higher proportions of cement replacement to be tested and implemented. A new 3D tool for simulating temperature and tension in hardening concrete is being developed.

Expected results and effects

In Germany, the construction industry has started to use temperature measurement and strength calculation for concrete to a greater extent in the recent time, while in Sweden, the use of concrete with reduced cement content (green concrete) has increased. Thus, the demand for material testing and simulation of hardening concrete has increased. The methods and tools developed in this project improve the market position of the project partners.

Planned approach and implementation

Testing of the properties of different types of concrete was carried out. Crucial parameters were found using statistical experiment planning. The results obtained were converted to material parameters and implemented in calculation models. A general 3D calculation tool as basis has been developed through the implementation of subroutines for analysis of temperature and stress in young concrete. Instrumented full-scale experiments have been performed in Sweden and in Germany to verify simulation results.