Application of Heat Pipe for Hydration Heat Control of Mass Concrete

Abstract

In order to raise efficiency in construction, construction period, construction costs etc. that have been problematic in the methods of hydration heat reduction thus far, this study has developed a new method. The principle of the developed construction method involves the laying of a heat conducting medium such as the heat pipe in the concrete, and through the fast conduction of heat by the heat pipe, the hydration heat occurring within the mass concrete is transferred to the exterior by which the internal hydration heat is reduced. If the study results of the onsite test are summarized, on application of existing hydration heat reduction methods, the highest temperature was reached in about 24 days, but when the heat pipe of this study was used, the period was reduced to within 24 hours. Moreover, when the thermal crack index was calculated with the method using the heat pipe as developed in this study, a value of 1.2 or higher was revealed, which is a level that can restrict the occurrence of cracks. Therefore, when the hydration heat control method using the heat pipe as developed in this study is applied, not only the effects of construction efficiency and reduction in construction period, but also outstanding economical effects can be expected.