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Concrete is not merely a mixture of stone and water; it is a complex chemical reactor. The hydration of cement is an exothermic process—meaning it releases heat. In the first few days after pouring, the concrete generates significant heat. In massive pours, such as dam foundations, bridge piers, or thick raft slabs, the heat generated in the core cannot escape quickly enough. Consequently, the core temperature rises significantly.
εr=Kc[αcT1+εca(3)]Repsilon sub r equals cap K sub c open bracket alpha sub c cap T sub 1 plus epsilon sub c a end-sub open paren 3 close paren close bracket cap R αcT1alpha sub c cap T sub 1 is the thermal contraction. is the autogenous shrinkage at 3 days. is the restraint factor. Kccap K sub c accounts for stress relaxation. C. Calculating Crack Width and Spacing
C660 provides specific guidance on to control crack widths (not to prevent cracking, but to distribute it):
[ R \cdot \alpha \cdot \Delta T_{allow} \leq \frac{f_{ct}(t)}{E_c(t)} ]
