Operational implementation of concrete thermal modeling for construction projects

Estimating delayed ettringite formation risks, early age cracking and/or early age strengths in concrete structures is still a complex task to achieve in construction projects. Indeed, numerous complex coupled phenomena occur during concrete hydration process, which must be finely described for accurate predictions of these different criteria. It requires the determination of various input data, which leads to various experimental tests (calorimetry, mechanical properties, temperature records, both chemical, and physical concrete constituent properties) which are not fully available for industrial practices. Therefore, since more than a decade Vinci Construction Grands Projets focuses on modeling and numerical simulations which allows transferring both construction project feedbacks and internal research investigations to our next industrial applications in the form of methodology and internal recommendations. Different representative examples from successful experienced projects illustrate this methodology and draw the main relevant key features to optimize construction processes. This paper shows that predicting the evolution of thermo-physical properties of concrete from its mix design at the macroscopic scale allows an accurate temperature prediction in concrete structures when the used model correctly captures the key phenomena such as the thermo-activation process based on the full detailed "Methodology." For the prediction of DEF and thermal cracks risks, the associated project requirements inherited from technical guides and relevant standards have been employed to help construction teams to optimize their construction options and associated planning in the most safely conditions.