Mass Concrete

This technique is used for a massive structure such as dams and large beam piers and foundation. Mass concrete basically contains large size of aggregates and lesser quantity of water. To carry out with the proper and durable structure it is important that mass concrete should be properly designed, placed and cured. Main factor which has to be taken in consideration is, it creates problem in temperature shrinkage.

Mass concrete is a large volume of a cast in place concrete with dimensions large enough to require that measures be taken to cope with the generation of heat and attendant volume change to minimize cracking.

Materials used for Mass concrete are Portland cement with low heat of hydration, aggregate, pozzolanas, mixing Water, admixture, coolants etc.

It is used in construction of high rise buildings, columns, foundation, metro railways, piers, bed blocks, flyovers, dams, reservoir, retaining wall and maritime structures etc.

The concrete has very low thermal conductivity, hence the temperature at the core portion of mass concrete will be more than the surface of the concrete. The surface of the concrete is open to atmosphere.

The inner core of concrete may raise its temperature to 60-degree Celcius. Therefore a huge difference in temperature will be created between inside and outside of the concrete. This leads to the formation of thermal stress in concrete.