Computer Simulation in the Analysis of Hydration Heat of Large-Volume Composite Pier

To study the possible excess heat of hydration during the pouring process of the large-volume concrete of the steel-concrete joint section of the main pier of a bridge, this paper used Midas/FEA finite element software to simulate the internal hydration heat temperature field after concrete pouring and analyze the law of temperature change at different positions inside the concrete and the influencing factors of the heat of hydration. Theoretical analysis and actual measurement results show that the finite element simulation temperature data fits well with the actual measurement data, indicating that the finite element model can simulate the temperature field of hydration heat within the concrete well. Ambient temperature, steel box shape, steel box cross-sectional area ratio, and steel box depth ratio have an impact on the heat of hydration of concrete in the pier. A temperature control scheme for appropriately arranging cooling pipes in the steel-concrete joint section to reduce the heat of hydration inside the concrete is proposed. It can be seen that this article provides a reference for the design and construction of the mass concrete of the steel-concrete joint section of the bridge pier. The construction conditions, steel box parameters, and appropriate arrangement of cooling pipes should be determined according to the specific conditions of the project to reduce the heat of hydration inside the concrete, advance the temperature peak time and prevent cracks in concrete piers.