Autogenous deformations in massive concrete structures

The design of concrete structures exposed to environmental attack requires serious attention for concrete durability. Early age cracking due to autogenous deformations should be avoided. In the proposed work the study of the structural effects of hydration heat and rheological properties of concrete on structures realized by means of massive concrete castings is presented. The object of the study are a skyscraper foundation slab and the Venice Barriers (M.O.S.E.) foundations. Aim of this work is the numerical simulation of what occurs to the structure from the first hours after the casting, in order to design the structure avoiding unforeseen autogenous cracking. Non-linear finite element coupled thermal and mechanical analyses have been performed taking into account: hydration heat, dimension of the casting, evolution of concrete mechanical properties in time during the hardening reaction, creep and differential shrinkage