Thermal Properties of Concrete

Generally, thermal properties of concrete are to understand the behavior of concrete to heating
and cooling. The study of thermal properties of concrete is an important aspect while dealing
with the durability of concrete.
Concrete is a material used in all climatic regions for all kinds of structures. Knowledge
of thermal expansion is required in long span bridge girders, high rise buildings subjected to
variation of temperatures, in calculating thermal strain in chimneys, blast furnace and pressure
vessels, in dealing with pavements and construction joints, in dealing with design of concrete
dams and in host of other structures where concrete will be subjected to higher temperatures such
as fire, subsequent cooling, resulting in cracks, loss of serviceability and durability.
The important properties that will be discussed are:
Thermal conductivity
Thermal diffusivity
Specific heat
Coefficient of thermal expansion
Thermal conductivity- This measures the ability of material to conduct heat. Thermal
conductivity is measured in joules per second per square metre of area of body when the
temperature deference is 1C per metre thickness of the body.
The conductivity of concrete depends on the type of aggregate, moisture content, density,
and temperature of concrete. When concrete is saturated, the conductivity ranges generally
between 1.4 and 3.4 j/m2sc/m.
Thermal diffusivity- Diffusivity represents the rate at which temperature changes within the
concrete mass. Diffusivity is simply related to the conductivity by the following equation.
Diffusivity=

The range of diffusivity of concrete is between 0.002 to 0.006 m2/h

Specific heat- It is defined as the quantity of heat required to raise temperature of a unit mass of
a material by one degree centigrade. The common range of values for concrete is between 840
and 1170 j/kg perc.
Coefficient of thermal expansion-Coefficient of thermal expansion is defined as the change in
unit length per degree change of temperature. In concrete it depends upon the mix proportions.
The coefficient of thermal expansion of hydrated cement paste varies between 11 x 10-6 and 20 x
10-6 per C. Coefficient of thermal expansion of aggregates varies between 5 x 10-6 and 12 x 10-6
per C. Limestones and gabbros will have low values and gravel and quartzite will have high
values of coefficient of thermal expansion. Therefore the kind of aggregate and content of
aggregate influences the coefficient of thermal expansion of concrete.
Too much of thermal incompatibility between aggregate and paste, causes differential
expansion and contraction resulting in rupture of bond at the interface of paste and aggregate.
Complied by
S.Praveenkumar/Assistant Professor/Department of Civil Engineering/PSGCT

Concrete subjected to higher temperatures show somewhat different values, presumably because
of the lower moisture content in the concrete. The importance of the values of coefficient of
thermal expansion becomes necessary at higher temperature when dealing with concrete
subjected fire or higher temperatures.
Having seen a few aspects of properties of concrete which have bearing on expansion and
contraction on heating and cooling, let us revert back to thermal shrinkage associated with heat
of hydration.
A large amount of heat, up to 500 j/g could be liberated in the hydration of cement. Since
the thermal conductivity of concrete is low, a very high temperature could be generated in the
interior of a large mass of concrete. At the same time, the exterior of the concrete mass loses heat
with the result a steep temperature gradient may get established. During subsequent cooling of
the interior, serious cracking may take place.
The rate of evolution of heat as well as total generated depends on the compound
composition of cement. C3S and C3A produces large amount of heat in a short time. The fineness
of cement also influences the rate of heat development. The faster rate of heat development is
more harmful than the total heat of hydration which develops slowly. Therefore for mass
concrete and hydraulic structures they use cement with low C3S and C3A. It is also advantages to
use low cement content and blended cement. Blended cement with high pozzolanic materials
content gives out the heat rather slowly because of slow pozzolanic reaction, during which time
certain quantity of heat gas dissipated, virtually reducing temperature difference between interior
and exterior.
Thermal Effects
The effect of temperature on concrete structures and members is one of the volume changes. The
volume relationship to temperature is expressed by the coefficient of thermal
expansion/contraction. Volume changes create stress when the concrete is restrained, the
resulting stresses can be of any type: tension, compression, shear etc. the stressed conditions may
result in undesirable behavior such as cracking, spalling, and excessive deflection.
a) Thermal volume change
Concrete, like all materials, changes volume when subjected to temperature changes. An increase
in temperature increases the volume of concrete; conversely, a decrease in temperature reduces
the volume of concrete. The thermal coefficient is 9 x 10-6 mm/mm/C. Example: A Change of
38C (100F) in a 30.5m (100) length will length will change the overall length by 22mm
(7/8).

Complied by
S.Praveenkumar/Assistant Professor/Department of Civil Engineering/PSGCT

b) Uneven Thermal Loads

Temperature gradients exist in many structures. The temperature on the surface of a deck
slab exposed to direct sunlight may reach 48C (118F), while the underside of the deck may
be only 26C-22C (78F-40F) difference known as diurnal solar beating. This causes the
top surface to have a tendency to expand more than the bottom surface. This results in an
upward movement during heating and a downward movement during cooling.
Example: A precast double T-shaped structured member with 18m span can move 19mm
upward at mid span from normal diurnal solar heating, causing the ends to rotate and stress
the ledger beam bearing pads and concrete.

Complied by
S.Praveenkumar/Assistant Professor/Department of Civil Engineering/PSGCT

c) Continuous span
Diurnal solar heating affects structures differently depending upon their configuration. Simple
span structures deflect up and down and are free to rotate at end supports. Continuous structures
may behave differently because they are not free to rotate at supports. If enough thermal
gradients exist, together with insufficient tensile capacity in the bottom of the member, a hinge
may form. Hinges may occur randomly in newly formed cracks, or may form in construction
joints near the columns. Hinges open and close with daily temperature changes.

Complied by
S.Praveenkumar/Assistant Professor/Department of Civil Engineering/PSGCT

Complied by
S.Praveenkumar/Assistant Professor/Department of Civil Engineering/PSGCT

d) Restraint volume changes

If a structural member is free to deform as a result of changes in temperature, moisture, or loads,
there is no build-up of internal stress. If the structural member is restrained, stress build-up
occurs and can be very significant. When stress build-up is relieved it will occur in the weakest
portion of the structural member or its connection to other parts of the structure. The stress may
result in tension cracks, shear cracks, and buckling.

e) Early thermal cracking of freshly placed concrete

Freshly placed concrete undergoes a temperature rise from the heat generated by the cement
hydration. The heat rise occurs over the first few hours or days after casting, then cools to the
surrounding ambient temperature. When cooling takes place two or three days after casting, the
concrete has very little tensile strength. Weak tensile strength, coupled with a thermally
contracting member, provide for the likelihood of tension cracks. Factors affecting early
temperature rise include:
Initial temperature of materials: Warm materials lead to warm concrete. Aggregate
temperature is the most critical.
Ambient Temperature: Higher ambient temperature lead to higher packs.
Dimensions: Larger sections generate more heat.
Curing: Water curing dissipates the build-up of heat. Thermal shocking should be
avoided.
Formwork removal: Early removal of formwork reduces peak temperature.
Type of formwork: Wood forms produce higher temperatures then steel forms.
Cement content: More cement in the mix means more heat.
Cement type: Type III cement produces more heat than most other cements used.
Cement replacements: Fly ash reduces the amount of heat build-up.
Complied by
S.Praveenkumar/Assistant Professor/Department of Civil Engineering/PSGCT

Complied by
S.Praveenkumar/Assistant Professor/Department of Civil Engineering/PSGCT

f) Thermal Movements in Existing Cracks

Thermal stresses can be relieved in ways other than by the formation of cracks. Cracks that
are formed via other mechanisms, such as dry shrinkage cracking, may provide a location in
the member where thermal change strain can be absorbed. The crack moves with the same
cycle in the concrete member. Thermal movement taken up by these cracks reduces the
movement at planned expansion joints.

Complied by
S.Praveenkumar/Assistant Professor/Department of Civil Engineering/PSGCT