Large-Volume Dam Pier Concrete Hygro–Thermo–Mechanical Model for Crack Cause Analysis and Active Control

Abstract

The dam piers undertake crucial tasks of structural support, surface overflow management, and dynamic gate operation under load. Any occurrence of cracks poses risks to their safe and efficient operation. Given the large-volume characteristics of dam pier concrete, controlling cracks is challenging. The existing analytical methods for dam pier concrete still have certain limitations in revealing the causes of cracks under complex environmental conditions. In particular, when accounting for the coupled effects of early-age temperature, humidity, and stress fields, further refinement of analytical models and methods is essential to develop more precise active crack control strategies. This study applied a hygro–thermo–mechanical coupling modeling method for early-age dam pier concrete. Comprehensive physical and mechanical experiments were conducted to calibrate the coupling model parameters to align with actual conditions. An experiment was conducted in a real dam pier to optimize the construction process to control cracks proactively, rather than applying remedial measures postcrack occurrence. The results show that the proposed method effectively analyzes the causes of cracks, and the proactive control measures targeting these causes are proven to be effective. This study provides a reference for proactive crack control of mass concrete structures.