Reducing Thermal Crack Risks Caused by Restraint in Young Concrete - A Case Study on Walls of Water Tanks

Abstract Concrete cracks in structures such as water tanks and nuclear power stations cause anxiety to owners, contractors engineers. These may significantly increase the structure’s permeability thus leakage, reduce durability, eventually lead loss of structural functionality. Therefore it is important minimize their occurrence size. To identify effective ways minimizing cracking young concrete segments, a parametric study was conducted using finite element method (FEM). Parameters considered include casting sequence, joint position, wall height, cooling. The examined continuous jumped approaches cylindrical reinforced tank for sewage-treatment plant, with without application ‘kicker’ technique which lower part cast slab. main thermal change restraint imposed by adjacent older structures, FEM predictions agree well experimental observations. Continuous most at because creates only two contact edges between newly existing producing lowest level restraint. kicker shown be very reducing consider rephasing.