if a section of concrete is poured for a road and the engineer leaves no gap between sections poured before and after the section in question , what will happen to concrete if the temperature varies from 0 C to 40 C ? Assume that the initial temperature of the pouring was 17 C.
Any ideas? I don't know much about concretes, help please, thank u
In order to understand the potential effects of temperature variations on concrete, we can look into the concept of thermal expansion.
Concrete is a material that expands when heated and contracts when cooled. This expansion and contraction are influenced by temperature changes. When a concrete section is poured without leaving any gaps between the sections poured before and after, it restricts the natural movement of the material due to thermal expansion or contraction.
In the scenario you described, where the temperature varies from 0°C to 40°C with an initial pouring temperature of 17°C, the concrete section may experience significant thermal stresses.
When the temperature rises from 17°C to 40°C, the concrete will expand due to the increased heat. Since there are no gaps, this expansion can result in cracks or distortions in the concrete. On the other hand, when the temperature drops from 17°C to 0°C, the concrete will contract. Again, without any room for movement, this contraction can cause cracks or other forms of distress in the concrete section.
It is worth noting that the extent of the damage will depend on various factors such as the dimensions of the concrete section, the type of concrete used, and the environmental conditions it is subjected to. However, in general, placing concrete sections without leaving any gaps between them can lead to structural issues and reduction in the durability of the road.
To mitigate this potential problem, engineers typically design concrete structures with expansion joints or other forms of spacing to accommodate thermal expansion and contraction. These joints allow the concrete to expand and contract without generating excessive stresses, thereby minimizing the risk of cracking or other forms of damage.